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LGBTQ

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
News
Man Assaults Lesbian Couple, Urinates On Car At Long Island Beach Over Sexual Orientation: DA Man Assaults Lesbian Couple, Urinates On Car At Long Island Beach Over Sexual Orientation: DA
Man Assaults Lesbian Couple, Urinates On Car At Long Island Beach Over Sexual Orientation: DA An unprovoked attack on a lesbian couple at a Long Island beach has resulted in hate crime charges against one of two men believed responsible. Joseph Kess, age 40, of Patchogue, was indicted for assault and criminal mischief in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, June 28, in connection with the Mother’s Day attack at Patchogue’s Mascot Dock. According to prosecutors, two young women were at the beach on May 14, 2023, watching the sunset and taking photos together, when Kess and another man began making derogatory comments about their sexual orientation. The incident escalated when Kess uri…

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by Michael Mashburn
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
News
Suffolk Man Admits To Making Threats To LGBTQ+ Affiliated Individuals, Organizations Suffolk Man Admits To Making Threats To LGBTQ+ Affiliated Individuals, Organizations
Suffolk Man Admits To Making Threats To LGBTQ+ Affiliated Individuals, Organizations A 74-year-old Long Island man has admitted to mailing more than 20 letters threatening individuals and organizations affiliated with the LGBTQ+ community. Robert Fehring, of Suffolk County, entered the guilty plea on Wednesday, Feb. 23, according to an announcement from Breon Peace, United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Earlier report - Long Island Man Accused Of Making Threats To LGBTQ+ Affiliated Individuals, Organizations “In pleading guilty today, the defendant admits that he sent hate-filled communications that threatened mass shootings, bombings and o…

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by Nicole Valinote
Police & Fire
Suffolk County Man Facing Hate Crime Charges For Stealing Pride Flags, Police Say Suffolk County Man Facing Hate Crime Charges For Stealing Pride Flags, Police Say
Suffolk County Man Facing Hate Crime Charges For Stealing Pride Flags, Police Say A Long Island man is facing multiple hate crime charges for stealing LGBTQ+ pride flags over the summer. Robert Fehring, age 74, of Bayport, was charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime and two counts of fourth-degree larceny as a hate crime, according to the Suffolk County Police Department.  SCPD said the flags were stolen and flag brackets were broken at locations along Railroad Avenue in Sayville between Friday, July 23 and Monday, July 26. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Fehring is also facing federal charges for sending thre…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
Long Island Man Accused Of Making Threats To LGBTQ+ Affiliated Individuals, Organizations Long Island Man Accused Of Making Threats To LGBTQ+ Affiliated Individuals, Organizations
Long Island Man Accused Of Making Threats To LGBTQ+ Affiliated Individuals, Organizations A 74-year-old Long Island man was arrested after investigators said he mailed letters that threatened violence against LGBTQ+ affiliated organizations and individuals.  Robert Fehring, of Bayport, was arrested on Monday, Dec. 6, according to an announcement from Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. The US Attorney's Office said a criminal complaint charged Fehring with threatening to assault, shoot and bomb LGBTQ+ affiliated individuals, organizations, and businesses over the years.  “Fehring’s alleged threats to members of the …

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by Nicole Valinote
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
News
LI Man Sentenced For 2019 Murder Of Teaching Assistant He Had Relationship With, DA Says LI Man Sentenced For 2019 Murder Of Teaching Assistant He Had Relationship With, DA Says
LI Man Sentenced For 2019 Murder Of Teaching Assistant He Had Relationship With, DA Says A Long Island man has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the vicious murder of his boyfriend in June 2019. Ryan Lindquist, age 23, of Massapequa, was sentenced Wednesday, April 28, in connection with the murder of Evan Grabelsky who he stabbed more than 150 times, said Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas. Lindquist pleaded guilty to the murder last month. “Mr. Grabelsky dedicated his life to helping autistic children, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends as they continue to mourn his tragic loss," said Singas. Grabelsky, 32, was discov…

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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