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Rubén Díaz Sr.

April 11, 2024

This article is about the New York City councilor. For his son, the Bronx borough president, see Rubén Díaz Jr.

Rubén Díaz (born April 22, 1943)[1] is a Puerto Rican politician from New York City and an ordained Pentecostal minister. He represented the 18th district of the New York City Council[2] from 2018 to 2021.[3] A member of the Democratic Party, Díaz represented the 32nd district in the New York State Senate from 2003 to 2017; his Senate district included parts of the Bronx neighborhoods of Castle Hill, Parkchester, Morrisania, Hunts Point, Melrose, Longwood, and Soundview.

Rubén Díaz
Member of the New York City Council
from the 18th district
In office
January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2021
Preceded byAnnabel Palma
Succeeded byAmanda Farías
In office
January 1, 2002 – January 1, 2003
Preceded byLucy Cruz
Succeeded byPedro Espada Jr.
Member of the New York Senate
from the 32nd district
In office
January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2017
Preceded byPedro Espada Jr.
Succeeded byLuis Sepúlveda
Personal details
Born (1943-04-22) April 22, 1943 (age 80)
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenRubén Díaz Jr.
EducationLehman College (BA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1960–1963

A socially conservative Democrat,[4][5][6] Díaz is known for his outspoken opposition to abortion[7] and same-sex marriage.[8]

Early life and education edit

Born and raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, Díaz served in the United States Army beginning in 1960,[9] ultimately obtaining an honorable discharge[10] three years later.[11] He moved to New York City in 1965. Also in 1965, Díaz pleaded guilty to marijuana and heroin possession charges and was sentenced to probation.[9]

Díaz became an evangelical Christian in 1966.[9] He earned a Bachelor's Degree from Lehman College in 1976.[12]

Career edit

Early career edit

Díaz formed a senior center, Christian Community in Action, in 1977.[9] In 1978, he became an ordained minister of the Church of God,[10] which describes itself as evangelical and pentecostal.[13] Díaz formed Christian Community Neighborhood Church;[9] as of 2017[needs update], he remained a pastor of that church.[14] Díaz is the founder and president of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization.[15]

In 1993, Díaz was appointed to serve on New York City's Civilian Complaint Review Board.[9] In 1994, while on the Civilian Complaint Review Board, Díaz was critical of the city hosting the Gay Games, claiming that doing so would lead to an increase in AIDS cases and to wider acceptance of homosexuality by young people.[16] Díaz wrote that hosting the Games would lead children "to conclude that if there are so many gay and lesbian athletes then there is nothing wrong, nor any risks involved."[16] Other members of the Board condemned Díaz's comments.[16]

New York State Senate edit

In 2002, Diaz was elected to the New York State Senate.[9] He represented the 32nd district in the New York State Senate[15] from 2003 to 2017;[17] his Senate district included parts of the Bronx neighborhoods of Castle Hill, Parkchester, Morrisania, Hunts Point, Melrose, Longwood, and Soundview.[18]

In 2007, Díaz expressed anger at Governor Eliot Spitzer after Spitzer reversed course and abandoned his plan to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain New York driver's licenses. Díaz said he had been betrayed by Spitzer.[19]

Díaz was one of three Democratic Senators, known as the "Gang of Three", who threatened to abandon the Democratic majority elected to the New York State Senate on November 4, 2008. A fourth, Senator-elect Hiram Monserrate, backed out of the group in early November.[20][21] According to a memorandum leaked to the New York Times in December 2008, the remaining "Gang of Three" tried to use their leverage to have one of them named Senate Majority Leader and another named chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and to obtain a guarantee that the Senate would not vote on the issue of same-sex marriage.[22] This deal fell through, and the three reached a compromise[23] in which they recognized State Senator Malcolm Smith as Senate Majority Leader in January 2009.[24]

In 2010, Díaz was challenged by Carlos "Charlie" Ramos in a Democratic primary campaign. Díaz won the primary by a margin of 79% to 22%.[25] Ramos' campaign complained of a number of polling irregularities, including intimidation of voters, bringing campaign literature into polling sites, and expelling certified poll watchers who worked for Ramos.[26]

Díaz is known for his "What You Should Know" column, which he began writing in 2012 and which began being published in 2016 in La Voz Internacional, a bilingual conservative online newspaper.[27]

New York City Council edit

Diaz was first elected to the New York City Council in 2001.[28] He was elected to the New York State Senate the following year.[29]

Díaz won the 2017 Democratic primary for the 16th district of the New York City Council with 42% of the vote.[30] In November 2017, Díaz was elected to the City Council in District 18.[31]

Díaz created controversy in February 2019 after asserting that the City Council was "controlled by the homosexual community". On February 13, 2019, the City Council voted to disband the Diaz-chaired Committee on For-Hire Vehicles, and Council Speaker Corey Johnson called for his resignation.[32]

In July 2020, Díaz announced that he would not seek re-election in 2021.[33] He was succeeded by Amanda Farías.[34][35]

2020 U.S. House of Representatives election edit

Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New York § District 15

In April 2019, Díaz declared his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York's 15th congressional district.[31] On June 23, 2020, he lost the Democratic primary, finishing third out of 12 candidates (behind victor Ritchie Torres and second-place finisher Michael Blake).[36][37]

Political positions edit

Abortion and stem cell research edit

Díaz has taken prominent public positions against abortion[38][39][40] and against embryonic stem cell research.[41][42][43]

Diaz has written the following: "'Hitler used the ashes of the Jews to make bars of soap. In America, we are selling fetal tissue to be used in: the manufacture of cosmetics as well as for medical research. What is the difference? Do not point your finger at Hitler, we are worse'".[44] In 2008, when a colleague proposed legislation that would expand abortion rights in New York, Díaz described the bill as "one of the most dangerous and radical pieces of proposed legislation in New York State that I have ever seen."[45] Díaz again compared abortion to the Holocaust in May 2012, drawing criticism from the Anti-Defamation League.[46]

LGBT issues edit

In 2003, Díaz filed a lawsuit to stop the expansion of the Harvey Milk School, claiming that the school infringed upon the rights of heterosexual students.[47][48] The lawsuit was settled in 2006 after the school agreed not to discriminate against heterosexual students and not to restrict admission to students who identify as LGBT, and after the City of New York agreed that the school would be open to all students.[49][better source needed]

In 2007, as his party—led by Governor Eliot Spitzer and Lt. Governor David Paterson—sought to pass same-sex marriage legislation, Díaz opposed the bill and was highly critical of Democratic support for it.[50] Díaz's opposition to same-sex marriage continued in 2008, when he vowed to vote against same-sex marriage legislation[51] and to withhold his support from any Senate Majority Leader who would allow the bill to become law.[52] In May 2009, Díaz led a rally against same-sex marriage in front of the New York City office of Governor David Paterson; the rally was attended by an estimated 20,000 participants.[53]

In a November 2009 piece in The New York Times, Díaz was quoted as saying that he "love[s]" his gay and lesbian relatives, but "[doesn't] believe in what they are doing".[54] The same article quoted Díaz's openly gay chief counsel, who described Díaz as "a true believer in Christian values, in treating people the way you want to be treated."[54]

On December 2, 2009, Díaz voted against same-sex marriage legislation, which failed to pass the Senate.[55]

On May 15, 2011, Díaz led a rally of same-sex marriage opponents in the Bronx. His granddaughter Erica Diaz, who is openly lesbian, led a counterprotest.[56] During Díaz's speech, his granddaughter came up on the stage with him, and Díaz hugged and kissed her and said, "This is my granddaughter. I love her. I love her. I love her. I respect her decisions. She does what she wants."[57] Erica subsequently stated that "You cannot tell someone that you love them and stay silent when people call for their death. 'Love' is empty when you say someone's life isn't natural."[58] Díaz reported receiving numerous death threats, and a New York gay bar said it would hold a "Fuck Ruben Diaz" event.[59]

On June 24, 2011, Díaz once again voted against allowing same-sex marriage in New York;[60] however, this time the measure passed the Senate by a vote of 33–29. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill later that evening.[61]

In 2017, Díaz helped to prevent the passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), a transgender rights bill, by voting against it in committee.[62][63] Díaz previously voted against GENDA in committee in 2010.[64]

In 2019, Díaz described the New York City Council as being "controlled by the homosexual community."[65]

Personal life edit

Diaz and his first wife, Didionilda Díaz (Vega), have three children.[10] One of their sons, Rubén Díaz Jr., is also a politician and was elected Bronx Borough President in April 2009.[66] As of 2015, Díaz is married to Leslie Díaz.[67]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Biography". Ruben Diaz, Sr.
  2. ^ Mays, Jeffery C. (February 18, 2019). "Rubén Díaz Makes Homophobic Remarks. Should He Be Expelled From the City Council? (Published 2019)". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  3. ^ Benitez, Juan (July 14, 2020). "After Career Tainted by Homophobic Remarks, Ruben Diaz Sr. to Retire From Politics". www.ny1.com.
  4. ^ "Could MMV's congressional run hand Rubén Díaz Sr. the seat?". City & State NY. August 7, 2019.
  5. ^ Segers, Grace (June 22, 2020). "It's the poorest and bluest congressional district in America. An anti-gay, pro-Trump Democrat is leading". www.cbsnews.com.
  6. ^ Siegel, Benjamin (June 23, 2020). "How a Trump-praising Democrat could win a New York House primary". ABC News.
  7. ^ "Pol invokes Hitler to oppose abortion bill". NY Daily News. May 2, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  8. ^ Barkan, Ross (April 5, 2013). "Rubén Díaz Sr. Stands Fast Against Gay Marriage as His Own Son Supports It". The New York Observer.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Powell, Nick (August 18, 2017). "Saddle Up: Will state Sen. Rubén Díaz Sr.'s luck hold in a run for City Council?". CSNY.
  10. ^ a b c Thrasher, Steven (June 22, 2011). "Diaz Family Values". www.villagevoice.com.
  11. ^ "Senator Ruben Diaz". NY State Senate.
  12. ^ Nossiter, Adam (August 23, 1995). "Hate the Sin, Love the Sinner; A Wheeler-Dealer Minister Denies Homophobia". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  13. ^ Archived from the original on May 17, 2011.
  14. ^ "'I am the Church. I am the State': Diaz Sr. Faces Younger Voices in Bronx Primary". City Limits. August 3, 2017.
  15. ^ a b "The Lincoln Legislator: Driving the Bronx with Reverend Rubén Díaz, Sr". Jewish Insider. March 23, 2020.
  16. ^ a b c Hicks, Jonathan P. (March 3, 1994). "Board Disavows Diaz on the Gay Games". The New York Times.
  17. ^ Tracy, Matt (July 13, 2020). "Ruben Diaz, Sr., Humiliated in Defeat, Announces Political Exit". Gay City News.
  18. ^ "NY Senate District 32". NY State Senate. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  19. ^ . November 18, 2007. Archived from the original on November 18, 2007.
  20. ^ Confessore, Nicholas; Hakim, Danny (November 5, 2008). "Democrats Take State Senate". The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2008.
  21. ^ . New York Daily News. December 5, 2008. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012.
  22. ^ Confessore, Nicholas (December 11, 2008). "Document Outlines a Failed Senate Deal". The New York Times.
  23. ^ Hakim, Danny (January 7, 2009). "Democrats Reach Pact to Lead the Senate". The New York Times.
  24. ^ Peters, Jeremy W. (January 8, 2009). "Democrats Take Control of New York State Senate". The New York Times.
  25. ^ Kappstatter, Bob (September 15, 2010). . New York Daily News. Archived from the original on September 19, 2010. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  26. ^ "More Reports of Election Irregularities: Ruben Diaz Sr. Breaking the Law?". The Daily Gotham. September 14, 2010. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013.
  27. ^ Parra, Daniel (June 15, 2020). "In Run for Congress, Díaz Sr.'s Strategy is to Give Out Food and Skip Debates". CityLimits.org.
  28. ^ Powell, Nick (August 18, 2017). "Saddle Up: Will state Sen. Rubén Díaz Sr.'s luck hold in a run for City Council?". CSNY.
  29. ^ "Popular Bronx Senator Resigning to Take City Council Seat". December 5, 2017.
  30. ^ Max, Ben. "2017 New York City Primary Election Results". Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  31. ^ a b . April 14, 2019. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  32. ^ Benitez, Juan (February 13, 2019). "Lawmaker's Committee Dissolved After His Incendiary Comments". www.ny1.com. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  33. ^ Hicks, Nolan; Campanile, Carl (July 13, 2020). "City council firebrand Ruben Diaz Sr. won't seek re-election".
  34. ^ "Meet the new City Council". City & State NY. January 10, 2022.
  35. ^ "Biography". Amanda Farías.
  36. ^ "NYS Board of Elections Unofficial Election Night Results". nyenr.elections.ny.gov.
  37. ^ Carlisle, Madeleine (June 24, 2020). "'This Has Been a Long Time Coming.' Two New York Candidates Now Poised to Become First Openly Gay Black, Afro-Latino Men in Congress". Time. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  38. ^ "Senator Ruben Diaz: 'Hitler Was Pro-Choice'". Observer.com. May 1, 2012.
  39. ^ "Two Bronx politicians, father and son, find themselves at odds in the 2016 race". Washington Post.
  40. ^ "Democrats Defending Life - Rubén Díaz". First Things. February 4, 2019.
  41. ^ Fowler, Jack (June 14, 2008). "Pro-Life Dem Lawmaker Blasts Embryonic Stem Cell Research Plan". National Review.
  42. ^ "Rubén Díaz Sr.'s habit of offending". CSNY. May 9, 2019.
  43. ^ Chiusano, Mark (February 11, 2019). "Ruben Diaz Sr.'s greatest controversial hits". amNewYork.
  44. ^ Gershman, Jacob (July 15, 2008). "Senator Plans Run as Democrat — and Republican". The New York Sun.
  45. ^ Hakim, Danny (February 18, 2008). "A Day's Work in Albany, a Day's Pay, and $154 More". The New York Times.
  46. ^ "State Sen. Diaz Stirs Up Controversy After Comparing Abortion To Holocaust". CBSLocal.com. May 2, 2012.
  47. ^ Herszenhorn, David M. (August 16, 2003). "Lawsuit Opposes Expansion Of School for Gay Students". The New York Times.
  48. ^ Winerip, Michael (August 27, 2003). "ON EDUCATION; A Safe Haven Finds Itself Under Siege". The New York Times.
  49. ^ "Gay Only School Must Admit Straights".
  50. ^ "Gay-Marriage Bill Passes, Fails, and Freaks Out a Bronx Dem". New York Magazine. June 20, 2007.
  51. ^ "New York Hispanic Clergy To Defend Traditional Marriage In Albany And Washington, DC". NY State Senate. June 17, 2008.
  52. ^ Honan, Edith (November 26, 2008). "Power struggle complicates NY bid for gay marriage". Reuters – via www.reuters.com.
  53. ^ Giove, Candice M. (May 18, 2009). . Village Voice. Archived from the original on August 4, 2009.
  54. ^ a b Confessore, Nicholas; Peters, Jeremy W. (November 10, 2009). "Foe of Gay Marriage in New York Says It's Nothing Personal". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
  55. ^ "State Senate Rejects Same-Sex Marriage Bill". NY1. December 2, 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  56. ^ Grynbaum, Michael (May 16, 2011). "Rival gay marriage rallies held". Times Union.
  57. ^ Grynbaum, Michael M. (May 15, 2011). "Senator and Granddaughter Hold Rival Gay Marriage Rallies". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  58. ^ "Grandpa's gay of reckoning". New York Post. June 5, 2011.
  59. ^ ARMAGHAN, SARAH (June 2011). "Same-sex marriage foe State Sen. Ruben Diaz & family hit with death threats over stance on issue". nydailynews.com.
  60. ^ Rovzar, Chris (June 24, 2011). "Marriage Equality Act Passed by State Senate 33–29". Intelligencer.
  61. ^ Confessore, Nicholas; Barbaro, Michael (June 24, 2011). "New York Allows Same-Sex Marriage, Becoming Largest State to Pass Law". The New York Times. Retrieved June 25, 2011.
  62. ^ "State Senate Kills Bill Extending Human Rights Protections To Transgender NYers". Gothamist. April 25, 2017.
  63. ^ Schindler, Paul (April 27, 2017). "State Senate Committee Nixes GENDA". Gay City News.
  64. ^ Rovzar, Chris (June 15, 2010). "Transgender Protection Bill Defeated in State Senate". Intelligencer.com.
  65. ^ Grim, Ryan (April 1, 2020). "Campaigning in a Covid-19 Hot Spot, AOC Ally Samelys López Looks to Break Out". theintercept.com. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  66. ^ Lee, Trymaine (April 22, 2009). "Rubén Díaz Jr. Wins Race for Bronx Borough President". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  67. ^ Barkan, Ross (May 18, 2015). "State Senator Claims His Wife Was Denied Job Because She's Against Gay Marriage". Observer.com.

External links edit

  • New York State Senate: Rubén Díaz
  • Let Legislators Be Legislators
  • Appearances on C-SPAN
Political offices
Preceded by Member of the New York City Council
from the 18th district
2002–2003 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the New York City Council
from the 18th district
2018–2021 		Succeeded by
New York State Senate
Preceded by Member of the New York Senate
from the 32nd district
2003–2017 		Succeeded by

April 11, 2024
rubén, díaz, this, article, about, york, city, councilor, bronx, borough, president, rubén, díaz, this, article, relate, different, subject, undue, weight, aspect, subject, please, help, relocate, relevant, information, remove, irrelevant, ones, september, 202. This article is about the New York City councilor For his son the Bronx borough president see Ruben Diaz Jr This article may relate to a different subject or has undue weight on an aspect of the subject Please help relocate relevant information and remove irrelevant ones September 2022 Ruben Diaz born April 22 1943 1 is a Puerto Rican politician from New York City and an ordained Pentecostal minister He represented the 18th district of the New York City Council 2 from 2018 to 2021 3 A member of the Democratic Party Diaz represented the 32nd district in the New York State Senate from 2003 to 2017 his Senate district included parts of the Bronx neighborhoods of Castle Hill Parkchester Morrisania Hunts Point Melrose Longwood and Soundview Ruben DiazMember of the New York City Councilfrom the 18th districtIn office January 1 2018 December 31 2021Preceded byAnnabel PalmaSucceeded byAmanda FariasIn office January 1 2002 January 1 2003Preceded byLucy CruzSucceeded byPedro Espada Jr Member of the New York Senate from the 32nd districtIn office January 1 2003 December 31 2017Preceded byPedro Espada Jr Succeeded byLuis SepulvedaPersonal detailsBorn 1943 04 22 April 22 1943 age 80 Bayamon Puerto RicoPolitical partyDemocraticChildrenRuben Diaz Jr EducationLehman College BA Military serviceAllegiance United StatesBranch service United States ArmyYears of service1960 1963A socially conservative Democrat 4 5 6 Diaz is known for his outspoken opposition to abortion 7 and same sex marriage 8 Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 2 1 Early career 2 2 New York State Senate 2 3 New York City Council 2 4 2020 U S House of Representatives election 3 Political positions 3 1 Abortion and stem cell research 3 2 LGBT issues 4 Personal life 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksEarly life and education editBorn and raised in Bayamon Puerto Rico Diaz served in the United States Army beginning in 1960 9 ultimately obtaining an honorable discharge 10 three years later 11 He moved to New York City in 1965 Also in 1965 Diaz pleaded guilty to marijuana and heroin possession charges and was sentenced to probation 9 Diaz became an evangelical Christian in 1966 9 He earned a Bachelor s Degree from Lehman College in 1976 12 Career editEarly career edit Diaz formed a senior center Christian Community in Action in 1977 9 In 1978 he became an ordained minister of the Church of God 10 which describes itself as evangelical and pentecostal 13 Diaz formed Christian Community Neighborhood Church 9 as of 2017 needs update he remained a pastor of that church 14 Diaz is the founder and president of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization 15 In 1993 Diaz was appointed to serve on New York City s Civilian Complaint Review Board 9 In 1994 while on the Civilian Complaint Review Board Diaz was critical of the city hosting the Gay Games claiming that doing so would lead to an increase in AIDS cases and to wider acceptance of homosexuality by young people 16 Diaz wrote that hosting the Games would lead children to conclude that if there are so many gay and lesbian athletes then there is nothing wrong nor any risks involved 16 Other members of the Board condemned Diaz s comments 16 New York State Senate edit In 2002 Diaz was elected to the New York State Senate 9 He represented the 32nd district in the New York State Senate 15 from 2003 to 2017 17 his Senate district included parts of the Bronx neighborhoods of Castle Hill Parkchester Morrisania Hunts Point Melrose Longwood and Soundview 18 In 2007 Diaz expressed anger at Governor Eliot Spitzer after Spitzer reversed course and abandoned his plan to allow undocumented immigrants to obtain New York driver s licenses Diaz said he had been betrayed by Spitzer 19 Diaz was one of three Democratic Senators known as the Gang of Three who threatened to abandon the Democratic majority elected to the New York State Senate on November 4 2008 A fourth Senator elect Hiram Monserrate backed out of the group in early November 20 21 According to a memorandum leaked to the New York Times in December 2008 the remaining Gang of Three tried to use their leverage to have one of them named Senate Majority Leader and another named chair of the Senate Finance Committee and to obtain a guarantee that the Senate would not vote on the issue of same sex marriage 22 This deal fell through and the three reached a compromise 23 in which they recognized State Senator Malcolm Smith as Senate Majority Leader in January 2009 24 In 2010 Diaz was challenged by Carlos Charlie Ramos in a Democratic primary campaign Diaz won the primary by a margin of 79 to 22 25 Ramos campaign complained of a number of polling irregularities including intimidation of voters bringing campaign literature into polling sites and expelling certified poll watchers who worked for Ramos 26 Diaz is known for his What You Should Know column which he began writing in 2012 and which began being published in 2016 in La Voz Internacional a bilingual conservative online newspaper 27 New York City Council edit Diaz was first elected to the New York City Council in 2001 28 He was elected to the New York State Senate the following year 29 Diaz won the 2017 Democratic primary for the 16th district of the New York City Council with 42 of the vote 30 In November 2017 Diaz was elected to the City Council in District 18 31 Diaz created controversy in February 2019 after asserting that the City Council was controlled by the homosexual community On February 13 2019 the City Council voted to disband the Diaz chaired Committee on For Hire Vehicles and Council Speaker Corey Johnson called for his resignation 32 In July 2020 Diaz announced that he would not seek re election in 2021 33 He was succeeded by Amanda Farias 34 35 2020 U S House of Representatives election edit Main article 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New York District 15 In April 2019 Diaz declared his candidacy for the U S House of Representatives in New York s 15th congressional district 31 On June 23 2020 he lost the Democratic primary finishing third out of 12 candidates behind victor Ritchie Torres and second place finisher Michael Blake 36 37 Political positions editAbortion and stem cell research edit Diaz has taken prominent public positions against abortion 38 39 40 and against embryonic stem cell research 41 42 43 Diaz has written the following Hitler used the ashes of the Jews to make bars of soap In America we are selling fetal tissue to be used in the manufacture of cosmetics as well as for medical research What is the difference Do not point your finger at Hitler we are worse 44 In 2008 when a colleague proposed legislation that would expand abortion rights in New York Diaz described the bill as one of the most dangerous and radical pieces of proposed legislation in New York State that I have ever seen 45 Diaz again compared abortion to the Holocaust in May 2012 drawing criticism from the Anti Defamation League 46 LGBT issues edit In 2003 Diaz filed a lawsuit to stop the expansion of the Harvey Milk School claiming that the school infringed upon the rights of heterosexual students 47 48 The lawsuit was settled in 2006 after the school agreed not to discriminate against heterosexual students and not to restrict admission to students who identify as LGBT and after the City of New York agreed that the school would be open to all students 49 better source needed In 2007 as his party led by Governor Eliot Spitzer and Lt Governor David Paterson sought to pass same sex marriage legislation Diaz opposed the bill and was highly critical of Democratic support for it 50 Diaz s opposition to same sex marriage continued in 2008 when he vowed to vote against same sex marriage legislation 51 and to withhold his support from any Senate Majority Leader who would allow the bill to become law 52 In May 2009 Diaz led a rally against same sex marriage in front of the New York City office of Governor David Paterson the rally was attended by an estimated 20 000 participants 53 In a November 2009 piece in The New York Times Diaz was quoted as saying that he love s his gay and lesbian relatives but doesn t believe in what they are doing 54 The same article quoted Diaz s openly gay chief counsel who described Diaz as a true believer in Christian values in treating people the way you want to be treated 54 On December 2 2009 Diaz voted against same sex marriage legislation which failed to pass the Senate 55 On May 15 2011 Diaz led a rally of same sex marriage opponents in the Bronx His granddaughter Erica Diaz who is openly lesbian led a counterprotest 56 During Diaz s speech his granddaughter came up on the stage with him and Diaz hugged and kissed her and said This is my granddaughter I love her I love her I love her I respect her decisions She does what she wants 57 Erica subsequently stated that You cannot tell someone that you love them and stay silent when people call for their death Love is empty when you say someone s life isn t natural 58 Diaz reported receiving numerous death threats and a New York gay bar said it would hold a Fuck Ruben Diaz event 59 On June 24 2011 Diaz once again voted against allowing same sex marriage in New York 60 however this time the measure passed the Senate by a vote of 33 29 Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill later that evening 61 In 2017 Diaz helped to prevent the passage of the Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act GENDA a transgender rights bill by voting against it in committee 62 63 Diaz previously voted against GENDA in committee in 2010 64 In 2019 Diaz described the New York City Council as being controlled by the homosexual community 65 Personal life editDiaz and his first wife Didionilda Diaz Vega have three children 10 One of their sons Ruben Diaz Jr is also a politician and was elected Bronx Borough President in April 2009 66 As of 2015 Diaz is married to Leslie Diaz 67 See also edit2009 New York State Senate leadership crisis Anti abortion movement LGBT rights opposition Paterson David Black Blind amp In Charge A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity Skyhorse Publishing New York New York 2020References edit Biography Ruben Diaz Sr Mays Jeffery C February 18 2019 Ruben Diaz Makes Homophobic Remarks Should He Be Expelled From the City Council Published 2019 The New York Times via NYTimes com Benitez Juan July 14 2020 After Career Tainted by Homophobic Remarks Ruben Diaz Sr to Retire From Politics www ny1 com Could MMV s congressional run hand Ruben Diaz Sr the seat City amp State NY August 7 2019 Segers Grace June 22 2020 It s the poorest and bluest congressional district in America An anti gay pro Trump Democrat is leading www cbsnews com Siegel Benjamin June 23 2020 How a Trump praising Democrat could win a New York House primary ABC News Pol invokes Hitler to oppose abortion bill NY Daily News May 2 2012 Retrieved November 11 2015 Barkan Ross April 5 2013 Ruben Diaz Sr Stands Fast Against Gay Marriage as His Own Son Supports It The New York Observer a b c d e f g Powell Nick August 18 2017 Saddle Up Will state Sen Ruben Diaz Sr s luck hold in a run for City Council CSNY a b c Thrasher Steven June 22 2011 Diaz Family Values www villagevoice com Senator Ruben Diaz NY State Senate Nossiter Adam August 23 1995 Hate the Sin Love the Sinner A Wheeler Dealer Minister Denies Homophobia The New York Times via NYTimes com Church of God is Archived from the original on May 17 2011 I am the Church I am the State Diaz Sr Faces Younger Voices in Bronx Primary City Limits August 3 2017 a b The Lincoln Legislator Driving the Bronx with Reverend Ruben Diaz Sr Jewish Insider March 23 2020 a b c Hicks Jonathan P March 3 1994 Board Disavows Diaz on the Gay Games The New York Times Tracy Matt July 13 2020 Ruben Diaz Sr Humiliated in Defeat Announces Political Exit Gay City News NY Senate District 32 NY State Senate Retrieved November 13 2015 HILL S STAND WELL TODAY IS THURSDAY November 18 2007 Archived from the original on November 18 2007 Confessore Nicholas Hakim Danny November 5 2008 Democrats Take State Senate The New York Times Retrieved November 5 2008 Monserrate The Odd Man Out New York Daily News December 5 2008 Archived from the original on June 16 2012 Confessore Nicholas December 11 2008 Document Outlines a Failed Senate Deal The New York Times Hakim Danny January 7 2009 Democrats Reach Pact to Lead the Senate The New York Times Peters Jeremy W January 8 2009 Democrats Take Control of New York State Senate The New York Times Kappstatter Bob September 15 2010 It was a day full of upsets after Sen Pedro Espada lost to Gustavo Rivera but others won too New York Daily News Archived from the original on September 19 2010 Retrieved October 6 2010 More Reports of Election Irregularities Ruben Diaz Sr Breaking the Law The Daily Gotham September 14 2010 Archived from the original on January 21 2013 Parra Daniel June 15 2020 In Run for Congress Diaz Sr s Strategy is to Give Out Food and Skip Debates CityLimits org Powell Nick August 18 2017 Saddle Up Will state Sen Ruben Diaz Sr s luck hold in a run for City Council CSNY Popular Bronx Senator Resigning to Take City Council Seat December 5 2017 Max Ben 2017 New York City Primary Election Results Retrieved September 13 2017 a b Diaz Sr Formally Declares Run for Congress April 14 2019 Archived from the original on April 14 2019 Retrieved April 14 2019 Benitez Juan February 13 2019 Lawmaker s Committee Dissolved After His Incendiary Comments www ny1 com Retrieved January 25 2021 Hicks Nolan Campanile Carl July 13 2020 City council firebrand Ruben Diaz Sr won t seek re election Meet the new City Council City amp State NY January 10 2022 Biography Amanda Farias NYS Board of Elections Unofficial Election Night Results nyenr elections ny gov Carlisle Madeleine June 24 2020 This Has Been a Long Time Coming Two New York Candidates Now Poised to Become First Openly Gay Black Afro Latino Men in Congress Time Retrieved July 13 2020 Senator Ruben Diaz Hitler Was Pro Choice Observer com May 1 2012 Two Bronx politicians father and son find themselves at odds in the 2016 race Washington Post Democrats Defending Life Ruben Diaz First Things February 4 2019 Fowler Jack June 14 2008 Pro Life Dem Lawmaker Blasts Embryonic Stem Cell Research Plan National Review Ruben Diaz Sr s habit of offending CSNY May 9 2019 Chiusano Mark February 11 2019 Ruben Diaz Sr s greatest controversial hits amNewYork Gershman Jacob July 15 2008 Senator Plans Run as Democrat and Republican The New York Sun Hakim Danny February 18 2008 A Day s Work in Albany a Day s Pay and 154 More The New York Times State Sen Diaz Stirs Up Controversy After Comparing Abortion To Holocaust CBSLocal com May 2 2012 Herszenhorn David M August 16 2003 Lawsuit Opposes Expansion Of School for Gay Students The New York Times Winerip Michael August 27 2003 ON EDUCATION A Safe Haven Finds Itself Under Siege The New York Times Gay Only School Must Admit Straights Gay Marriage Bill Passes Fails and Freaks Out a Bronx Dem New York Magazine June 20 2007 New York Hispanic Clergy To Defend Traditional Marriage In Albany And Washington DC NY State Senate June 17 2008 Honan Edith November 26 2008 Power struggle complicates NY bid for gay marriage Reuters via www reuters com Giove Candice M May 18 2009 20 000 in Midtown Protest Gay Marriage Paterson Silver Village Voice Village Voice Archived from the original on August 4 2009 a b Confessore Nicholas Peters Jeremy W November 10 2009 Foe of Gay Marriage in New York Says It s Nothing Personal The New York Times Retrieved May 22 2010 State Senate Rejects Same Sex Marriage Bill NY1 December 2 2009 Archived from the original on July 15 2012 Retrieved December 2 2009 Grynbaum Michael May 16 2011 Rival gay marriage rallies held Times Union Grynbaum Michael M May 15 2011 Senator and Granddaughter Hold Rival Gay Marriage Rallies The New York Times via NYTimes com Grandpa s gay of reckoning New York Post June 5 2011 ARMAGHAN SARAH June 2011 Same sex marriage foe State Sen Ruben Diaz amp family hit with death threats over stance on issue nydailynews com Rovzar Chris June 24 2011 Marriage Equality Act Passed by State Senate 33 29 Intelligencer Confessore Nicholas Barbaro Michael June 24 2011 New York Allows Same Sex Marriage Becoming Largest State to Pass Law The New York Times Retrieved June 25 2011 State Senate Kills Bill Extending Human Rights Protections To Transgender NYers Gothamist April 25 2017 Schindler Paul April 27 2017 State Senate Committee Nixes GENDA Gay City News Rovzar Chris June 15 2010 Transgender Protection Bill Defeated in State Senate Intelligencer com Grim Ryan April 1 2020 Campaigning in a Covid 19 Hot Spot AOC Ally Samelys Lopez Looks to Break Out theintercept com Retrieved April 2 2020 Lee Trymaine April 22 2009 Ruben Diaz Jr Wins Race for Bronx Borough President The New York Times via NYTimes com Barkan Ross May 18 2015 State Senator Claims His Wife Was Denied Job Because She s Against Gay Marriage Observer com External links editNew York State Senate Ruben Diaz Let Legislators Be Legislators Appearances on C SPANPolitical officesPreceded byLucy Cruz Member of the New York City Councilfrom the 18th district2002 2003 Succeeded byPedro Espada Jr Preceded byAnnabel Palma Member of the New York City Councilfrom the 18th district2018 2021 Succeeded byAmanda FariasNew York State SenatePreceded byPedro Espada Jr Member of the New York Senatefrom the 32nd district2003 2017 Succeeded byLuis Sepulveda Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ruben Diaz Sr amp oldid 1215507396, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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