PO Box 514 – Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113 * (917) 567-6318

www.SDNYC.org

June 6, 2011

New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.

Legislative Office Building – Room 815
188 State Street
Albany, NY 12247

Dear Senator Addabbo,

There are only a few weeks left before this Legislative session ends. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the Democratic leaders have
made our party’s priorities clear, strengthening the rent regulations, ethics reform, a property tax cap on real estate taxes, and the
passage of same-sex marriage. These issues define what it means to be a Democrat in New York.

Although we support all of these issues, as the largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Democratic organization in the
state, we strongly urge you to support and vote for the same-sex marriage bill that Governor Cuomo will introduce in the near
future.

Historically the State of New York and New York’s Democratic Party have led the nation on progressive issues. As proud Democrats
we have worked for generations to protect the rights of working men and women, giving women the right to vote, abolishing slavery
and protecting the civil rights of African Americans, welcoming waves of new immigrants to our shores, guaranteeing women’s
reproductive rights, and anti-discrimination laws to protect the rights of people based on their race, religion, gender, age, sexual
orientation, etc. Those civil and legal rights are sacrosanct to New Yorkers.

On June 2, 2011, the well respected Quinnipiac University released a poll showing that 58% of New Yorkers support same-sex
marriage and only 36% oppose it. This poll reflects a record high for support for marriage equality. Editorial boards across the state
have come out in support of same-sex marriage. Your colleagues in the Assembly have passed same-sex marriage legislation three
times in the past.

It is now up to you and your colleagues in the Senate to pass a bill this year. Same-sex marriage has been called the civil rights issue
of the 21st century. Future generations will wonder why it took so long for our state to pass a law permitting marriage equality for
gay men and lesbians. When you look back on your years of public service as a member of the Senate, will your name be listed as a
visionary, a fair and compassionate leader, someone who did the right thing by voting for marriage equality? Or will you be listed as
a person who stood on the wrong side of history, in the way of progress and fairness, someone who voted to discriminate against
people because of who they love?

Choosing to spend your life with the person you love is a fundamental right that government should promote and protect. It is now
the time to give loving, same-sex couples that legal right. On behalf of Stonewall Democratic Club’s membership, I urge you to make
the right decision and vote ‘Yes’ in favor of marriage equality.

Sincerely,

Joseph G. Hagelmann, III

President