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Obituaries
NY Veteran's Lifelong 'Secret' Revealed In Heartbreaking Obituary Going Viral NY Veteran's Lifelong 'Secret' Revealed In Heartbreaking Obituary Going Viral
NY Veteran's Lifelong 'Secret' Revealed In Heartbreaking Obituary Going Viral A decorated veteran and retired firefighter from upstate New York is going viral for his heartbreaking posthumous revelation. Lifelong Rensselaer County resident Col. Edward Thomas Ryan, of Rensselaer, died with a long-kept secret that rendered him “afraid of being ostracized,” he wrote in his own obituary, which was published in the Albany Times Union on Saturday, June 8. "I must tell you one more thing. I was gay all my life: thru grade school, thru high school, thru college, thru life,” Ryan wrote. “I'm sorry for not having the courage to come out as gay. I was afraid of being ostraciz…

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by Michael Mashburn
Politics
GOP Presidential Hopeful Ron DeSantis Cancels Hudson Valley Fundraiser GOP Presidential Hopeful Ron DeSantis Cancels Hudson Valley Fundraiser
GOP Presidential Hopeful Ron DeSantis Cancels Hudson Valley Fundraiser Republican presidential candidate, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, canceled a planned upscale fundraiser in the Hudson Valley after failing to notify the local party leader, according to Politico. The $6,600-a-person event was slated to be held in Rockland County at the Crowne Plaza in Suffern on Thursday, June 29. LBGTQ groups and local Democrats were planning protests during the event. But earlier in the week, DeSantis moved the fundraiser to a more remote location, reportedly in New Jersey, officials familiar with the event said. DeSantis' office did not return phone calls regarding the cha…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
First LGBTQ+ Friendly Affordable Housing Development Approved In Westchester First LGBTQ+ Friendly Affordable Housing Development Approved In Westchester
First LGBTQ+ Friendly Affordable Housing Development Approved In Westchester An all-new affordable housing complex meant to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ Westchester residents has been approved by the county's government, officials said.  Court Street Residences, a new affordable senior housing development that will be located in White Plains at 143 Grand St., was approved by the Westchester County Board of Legislators in a 17-0 vote on Monday, April 17.  The project, which will consist of at least 140 residential units for people aged 55 and older and will be built by a corporation formed by HANAC, Inc. and Monadnock Development LLC, had …

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by Ben Crnic
News
Police Investigating Anti-Gay Graffiti At Hudson Valley Pride Building Police Investigating Anti-Gay Graffiti At Hudson Valley Pride Building
Police Investigating Anti-Gay Graffiti At Hudson Valley Pride Building Police are investigating after anti-gay graffiti written in large blue letters was found on the front of the Rockland County Pride Center in Nyack. Orangetown Police said the incident of graffiti/criminal mischief was reported around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11.  Officers responded to the scene, along with the Rockland County's Sheriff's Office to investigate what police are calling a "bias crime," said Orangetown Police Capt. Michael Shannon. Center officials issued a statement regarding the vandalism: "Incidents of hateful graffiti, threats, and intimidation are rising at LGBTQ+ c…

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by Kathy Reakes
Lifestyle
'Stranger Things' Star Noah Schnapp From Westchester Comes Out As Gay 'Stranger Things' Star Noah Schnapp From Westchester Comes Out As Gay
'Stranger Things' Star Noah Schnapp From Westchester Comes Out As Gay Westchester County native Noah Schnapp, a star of the hit Netflix show "Stranger Things," has publicly come out as gay.  Schnapp, who grew up in Scarsdale and attended the town's public schools, made the announcement through his Tik Tok account in a video he posted on Thursday, Jan. 5.  In the short video, he wrote, "When I finally told my friends and family I was gay after being scared in the closet for 18 years and all they said was 'we know.'"  Additionally, in the caption, he noted the similarity to the character he plays on "Stranger Things," Will Byers, who was also confirmed to be g…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
NY School District Responds To Teacher's Allegations Following Firing NY School District Responds To Teacher's Allegations Following Firing
NY School District Responds To Teacher's Allegations Following Firing A teacher from the region who was let go is making waves with allegations that he was let go for being a friend and ally to the school's LGBTQ community. The incident began playing out in public in Suffolk County on Long Island when Smithtown High School East teacher Josh Tilton claimed on Instagram that he was denied tenure because of his beliefs. Tilson, who worked closely with LGBTQ students, wrote on Instagram that a mural he created with his students was painted over once he was no longer at the building and pointed fingers at several administrators as "hating" the LGBTQ community…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
NYers Can Now Choose 'X' Gender Marker On Driver License, ID Cards, Hochul Announces NYers Can Now Choose 'X' Gender Marker On Driver License, ID Cards, Hochul Announces
NYers Can Now Choose 'X' Gender Marker On Driver License, ID Cards, Hochul Announces With the start of “Pride Month” just days away, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a historic step in removing barriers for transgender and non-binary New Yorkers. Hochul announced that New Yorkers will soon have the option to choose “X” as a gender marker on driver’s licenses, learner permits, or non-driver state ID cards. “As we prepare to celebrate Pride Month in a few days, I am excited to announce this historic change that represents another victory in our fight to help ensure equality and respect for the LGBTQ+ community," the governor said.  "Every person, regardless of…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
NYer Will Become First Black White House Press Secretary NYer Will Become First Black White House Press Secretary
NYer Will Become First Black White House Press Secretary A native New Yorker has been tapped to take over as the top spokesperson for President Joe Biden’s White House. Karine Jean-Pierre, a Haitian-American who was raised in Queens Village and grew up on Long Island, in Hempstead, was chosen to become the 35th White House Press Secretary following the departure of outgoing Jen Psaki, a native of Fairfield County, Connecticut. Earlier story - Fairfield County Native Leaving Post As White House Press Secretary For TV Gig, Report Says The appointment makes Jean-Pierre the first Black woman and LGBTQ+ to hold that position. “Karine not only …

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by Zak Failla
Politics
LGBTQ+ Bill Protecting Gender Pronouns Becomes Law In New York LGBTQ+ Bill Protecting Gender Pronouns Becomes Law In New York
LGBTQ+ Bill Protecting Gender Pronouns Becomes Law In New York New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed new legislation into law that will protect the LGBTQ+ community and gender pronouns. To celebrate “Transgender Awareness Week,” Hochul signed a pair of bills that relate to vacating convictions for offenses committed due to being a victim of sex trafficking, labor trafficking, or compelling prostitution, and another that will require utility companies to allow customers to use their preferred name and pronouns. “As we witness attacks on LGBTQ+ rights and protections around the country, New York is once again declaring that we are a state for all — one w…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Cop In Hudson Valley On Leave After Transphobic Video With Violent Hillary Clinton Comment Cop In Hudson Valley On Leave After Transphobic Video With Violent Hillary Clinton Comment
Cop In Hudson Valley On Leave After Transphobic Video With Violent Hillary Clinton Comment A police officer in the area is on paid administrative leave after allegedly posting a transphobic rap video that says there are only two genders and that Hillary Clinton should be hanged. The video, posted by New Paltz Police Officer Robert Sisco, who is seen wearing a police uniform, expresses crude transphobic statements, as well as the comment about Clinton in which he said, "Hillary is Killary we all know the reason. Where those emails at? We should hang her for treason." He also expresses support for President Donald Trump and says he would rather use his words than res…

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by Kathy Reakes
Politics
Cuomo Under Fire After Using N-Word During Live Radio Interview Cuomo Under Fire After Using N-Word During Live Radio Interview
Cuomo Under Fire After Using N-Word During Live Radio Interview A live radio interview about racism regarding Italian Americans took a nasty turn for New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who used the n-word during the course of the conversation. Cuomo called into WAMC radio on Tuesday, Oct. 15, where he was asked to discuss the purported controversy regarding Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which was celebrated at the same time as Columbus Day. Listen to the radio interview here The conversation took a turn to a weekend New York Times opinion piece that spoke of the treatment of Italian Americans in the past. It was then that he used the racial slur. “They used a…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Paula Rollins, Deputy Commissioner, Clerk In Westchester, Dies At 63 Paula Rollins, Deputy Commissioner, Clerk In Westchester, Dies At 63
Paula Rollins, Deputy Commissioner, Clerk In Westchester, Dies At 63 Paula Rollins, whose political career includes service to Westchester County as both a deputy commissioner and deputy county clerk, died Tuesday, July 9 at age 63. Rollins, of Harbor Island, was a lifelong Democrat. She was appointed Deputy County Clerk of Westchester County by then County Clerk Andrew J. Spano and served through the end of his term.  She next served as Deputy Commissioner of the Board of Elections for Westchester County and then as Westchester County Commissioner of Human Resources.  Rollins was the Commissioner of Human Resources for the City of Yonkers before …

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by Donna Christopher
News
Former Westchester Priest Suspended For Sexual Misconduct, Cardinal Timothy Dolan Says Former Westchester Priest Suspended For Sexual Misconduct, Cardinal Timothy Dolan Says
Former Westchester Priest Suspended For Sexual Misconduct, Cardinal Timothy Dolan Says A New York priest who began his career in Westchester has been suspended from the ministry after sexual allegations with an adult were reported to the Manhattan's District Attorney's Office. Father John Duffell, the former leader of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Manhattan, was directed on July 1, by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, "not to publicly exercise his priestly ministry due to an allegation from the past that he abused his position of authority in a violation of his promise of celibacy," the Cardinal said in a letter to the parish. Immediately following the…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
Here Are Westchester County's 2019 Public Health Award Winners Here Are Westchester County's 2019 Public Health Award Winners
Here Are Westchester County's 2019 Public Health Award Winners Several people and organizations were recognized for their industry contributions at the 2019 Public Health Awards, presented by Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the Westchester County Board of Health on Monday, April 8 at White Plains High School. The event is meant to celebrate National Public Health Week, which is observed from April 1 to April 7. Stephanie Marquesano, an Ardsley mother and co-occurring mental health disorder awareness advocate, was given the Dr. Harold Keltz Distinguished Public Health Service Award by Board of Health President Robert Baker, MD. “The tra…

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by Valerie Musson
Politics
Video: Cuomo Says After Anti-Semitic Incident In Hudson Valley Rise In Hate Crimes A Concern Video: Cuomo Says After Anti-Semitic Incident In Hudson Valley Rise In Hate Crimes A Concern
Video: Cuomo Says After Anti-Semitic Incident In Hudson Valley Rise In Hate Crimes A Concern Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York State Police Superintendent Keith Corlett joined forces to make a strong statement following the arrest of a Saugerties man for an anti-Semitic hate crime. "If you attack a Jewish person, you attack me. If you attack a Muslim person, you attack me. You attack an LGBTQ member, you attack me,” said Cuomo during the Friday, March 22 address. “That's the New York credo...Bias-related crimes, hate crimes, are not just wrong, they're not just unethical, they're not just immoral - they are illegal and we will prosecute every case to the fullest extent of the law. And …

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by Valerie Musson
Politics
It's Time For Disney To Get A Major Gay Character, Maloney Says It's Time For Disney To Get A Major Gay Character, Maloney Says
It's Time For Disney To Get A Major Gay Character, Maloney Says Is it time for an LGBTQ character starring in a Disney movie? A Hudson Valley Congressman thinks so. TMZ ran into openly gay Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney on Capitol Hill earlier this week, and asked him about his feelings of the LGBTQ community being represented in a Disney movie. “I think it’s great if there’s positive LGBT characters on Disney movies and shows and everywhere else,” he said. “We are part of this American family and there’s no reason they shouldn’t be represented.” The question arose after an online debate cropped up stating that Elsa, the main character in the cult-hi…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Actor Igby Rigney Of Westchester Performs 'Out of My Comfort Zone' In Area Actor Igby Rigney Of Westchester Performs 'Out of My Comfort Zone' In Area
Actor Igby Rigney Of Westchester Performs 'Out of My Comfort Zone' In Area “Out of My Comfort Zone” is a rock musical-turned-film exploring the effects of bullying and the struggles many members of the LGBTQ community face during their youth. The show debuted off-Broadway in 2015, but the cast — including Ossining High School Class of 2017 graduate Igby Rigney, who portrays “Brad” - is returning to Northern Westchester for a live performance and exclusive discussion of the show’s core issues. Described by The Huffington Post as “a singing, dancing powerhouse punctuated by dialogue that rings true and real,” the event, which is scheduled for Friday, March 1 at 7 p.m…

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by Valerie Musson
Politics
Racist, Sexist, Anti-Gay: Chappaqua's Hillary Clinton Unloads On Trump Racist, Sexist, Anti-Gay: Chappaqua's Hillary Clinton Unloads On Trump
Racist, Sexist, Anti-Gay: Chappaqua's Hillary Clinton Unloads On Trump Hillary Clinton unloaded on President Donald Trump, charging her former presidential rival with being racist, sexist and anti-gay rights. 'He has been racist, he's been sexist, he's been Islamophobic, he has been anti-LGBTQ, I mean, there's a long list,' Clinton told the Atlantic Events Festival last week. She also said there's "a lot to be concerned about" over Trump's Supreme Court appointee Brett Kavanaugh. The former presidential candidate and Secretary of State from Chappaqua cited Trump's behavior in the wake of Charlottesville, Virginia, riots in 2017, which were provoked …

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by Jon Craig
Politics
HS Basketball Coach Throws Hat In Ring For Westchester Assembly Seat HS Basketball Coach Throws Hat In Ring For Westchester Assembly Seat
HS Basketball Coach Throws Hat In Ring For Westchester Assembly Seat "When an opportunity presents itself, we need to take it," Anthony Nicodemo, Saunders High School basketball coach and social studies teacher, said in announcing his candidacy for New York state Assembly.Nicodemo, an openly gay Democrat, is seeking the 90th District seat vacated by Shelley Mayer of Yonkers, who just won the state Senate seat vacated by County Executive George Latimer. "A chance to represent and fight for my community is something I could not pass on," Nicodemo said on Twitter. Nicodemo, who's been Saunders Trades and Technical High School's head boys bas…

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by Jon Craig
Politics
Cuomo Hits Back As 'Sex And The City' Star Mulls Primary Challenge Cuomo Hits Back As 'Sex And The City' Star Mulls Primary Challenge
Cuomo Hits Back As 'Sex And The City' Star Mulls Primary Challenge This story has been updated. A day after news broke that "Sex And the City" star Cynthia Nixon was talking with Democratic strategists about entering this year's primary race against Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New Castle, the two-term incumbent wasted no time denigrating Nixon as a B-rated celebrity backed by his longtime Democratic critic, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. In a conference call with news reporters on Wednesday, Cuomo laughed at his own answer to a question about whether de Blasio, a longtime friend of Nixon, is behind her candidacy. “I think it was probably either th…

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by Jon Craig