Gay Activists to Protest Sen. Diaz Fund-raiser

Direct action group Queer Rising has released more details on its plan to protest a fund-raiser this Thursday for New York state senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., an antigay lawmaker whose reelection bid is being supported by state senate majority leader John Sampson.

Joe. My. God. offers more details on the protest in the Bronx based on the press release from Queer Rising:

"Queer Rising is outraged by New York State Senate Majority Leader John Sampson's decision to hold a fundraiser for anti-LGBTQ Senator Ruben Diaz of the Bronx on Thursday, August 12th. Senator Diaz led the Democratic revolt against Marriage Equality in the Senate last December, and he is a key target of a unified LGBTQ effort. In response, Queer Rising invites all to join us at 'The Sampson & Diaz Bigot Gala' paparazzi protest. 'Queer Rising is in the business of holding people accountable for their anti-LGBTQ actions, attendees of this function are supporting a bigot and need to be exposed.' Natasha Dillon, a founding member of Queer Rising."

Members of Queer Rising want to shame Sampson and any other supporters of Diaz, whose Democratic primary opponent, Charlie Ramos, supports marriage equality. During a boisterous brunch meeting Saturday hosted by the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City, Sampson defended his decision to back Diaz and Shirley Huntley of Queens, both among the eight Democrats who voted against the marriage equality bill that failed the state senate by a 38-24 margin last year. Sampson also refused to promise to bring the marriage equality bill to the floor for a vote in 2011.