I’ve made my views on Ruben Diaz fairly clear. One jackass I’ve focused less on is Hiram Monserrate, a New York state senator who was one of eight Democrats to vote “no” on the marriage equality bill that failed today. Mr. Monserrate was too cowardly to speak on the senate floor about marriage equality, and instead chose to cast his “no” vote without explanation. So while Mr. Monserrate is projecting his “moral values” onto the rest of us, it’s worth pointing out that those morals include slashing his girlfriend’s face with a broken beer bottle, which required 20 to 40 stitches to close. That was before he violently dragged her, while she was bleeding, through the lobby of their building to take her to the ER. What a guy. (Did you catch that it’s their building? That is, they live together. Unmarried. I think my grandma calls that “in sin.” Just sayin).
Because he was only found guilty of misdemeanor assault, he was able to keep his senate seat. Because he was able to keep his senate seat, he was able to vote against marriage equality today.
You can call Mr. Monserrate’s district office at (718) 205-3881, and his Albany office at (518) 455-2529. Tell him that your moral values embrace equality and deplore violence.
And when it’s re-election time, throw a few dollars toward Jose Peralta. I know I will.