Monserrate Supporters Strike at Gays

Supporters of former New York state senator Hiram Monserrate are distributing an antigay flier in churches as part of their bid to help him regain his seat in next week's special election in Queens.

According to the New York Daily News, the flier claims that Democratic rival Jose Peralta, a state assemblyman, is a tool of "mega-rich gay fanatics" who has the "support of the billionaire Gill Foundation" and "voted three times for the gay marriage bill."

The flier refers to Fight Back New York, a political action committee supported by Tim Gill and others for the purpose of unseating antigay legislators. Monserrate is one of eight Democrats who voted against the marriage equality bill last year.

"The flyer says Peralta, who has the support of many gay leaders and groups, is the 'leading spokesperson for the gay community's [sic] in N.Y.C.' It says those groups 'are dedicated to destroying our way of life and creating same sex marriage," reports the Daily News.

Senate colleagues expelled Monserrate last month for his conviction of misdemeanor assault against his girlfriend. He has aligned himself with antigay church leaders in a bid to win back his seat next Tuesday.