LID Endorses LGBTQ Candidates Across Brooklyn
Next year, all members of the New York City Council’s LGBTQ caucus will be term limited. It is up to the LGBTQ community to mobilize, organize and uplift candidates who will ensure that we have representation in local government.
On Thursday, November 19, the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn (LID), Brooklyn’s only LGBTQ Democratic club, endorsed queer candidates in four council districts across a diverse swath of Brooklyn.
In Council District 35, LID has endorsed Crystal Hudson. Hudson is a public servant, community organizer, and third generation Prospect Heights resident who was called to public service in 2013 when she became the primary caregiver for her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. She has served in senior roles in the City Council and the NYC Public Advocate's office in addition to creating the Greater Prospect Heights Mutual Aid Network to support her neighbors through the COVID-19 pandemic. If elected, Crystal would be the first openly gay Black woman elected to the New York City Council.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn” said Hudson. “LID has been the political voice of Brooklyn’s LGBTQ community for over 40 years and their support represents a key piece of the diverse, progressive coalition that my campaign is building. I am proud to partner with LID’s members as we work to get the 35th district, Brooklyn, and all of NYC through one of the most challenging health and economic crises of our time.”
In Council District 38, LID has endorsed Jacqui Painter, County Committee member, activist, and organizer native to Red Hook. Painter is the founder of Red Hook Relief, a local mutual aid organization that has provided critical support to Red Hook’s local residents throughout the COVID-19 crisis. She has been working as an organizer with Red Hook’s senior residents of the NYCHA Red Hook Houses- Brooklyn’s largest public housing development- for the past four years and tirelessly advocates for better conditions. Painter believes in continuing the fight for our vulnerable working people, families, immigrants, and youth by ensuring a fair and just recovery that prioritizes people over profit.
“I’m honored and thankful to be endorsed by LID. As a queer woman this is very special to me. LID has been on the front lines fighting for social justice and LGBTQ+ rights for decades. My candidacy reflects these values as I fight for a truly equal New York City for all.”
In Council District 40, LID has endorsed Josue Pierre. As a longtime District Leader for the 42nd Assembly District, Josue, or “Josh,” is a well known community leader in Flatbush. As a district leader, he has long been the only LGBTQ person among the Kings County Democratic Party’s leadership. As an organizer, Pierre consistently works to elevate the issues facing the most marginalized and economically disadvantaged people in Flatbush, particularly around issues of housing.
“I’m proud to have the endorsement of Brooklyn’s only LGBTQ+ political organization, the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn” said Pierre. “During my 14 plus years with my partner Corey, we have seen and lived many of the challenges faced by the queer community. I look forward to carrying our shared values of social justice, equity for our most marginalized communities, and fighting against budget cuts or programs that provide wrap around services for our community.”
In Council District 42, LID has endorsed Wilfredo Florentino. Wilfredo, or Will, has long supported the East New York and Brownsville communities as a community board member. Florentino, an army veteran and foster dad, is the founder of Rooted Theater Company, bringing critical arts and cultural programming to the neighborhood. “I am incredibly honored to receive the endorsement of Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn” said Florentino. “LID’s support is an acknowledgment of our fight toward equity, justice and transparency, and a repudiation of politics that have worked for the few and not the many. As a Afro-Latinx father, husband, U.S. Army veteran, and life-long Brooklynite, I’m appreciative of organizations like LID that are working to ensure the voices of the LGBTQ+ community are represented in our political system.”
Our candidates share more in common than being queer: they are steadfast, longstanding activists in their neighborhoods, who grew up in the constituencies they are vying to serve. When advocating for LGBTQ representation, it is important that we consider the communities where we are seeking to elevate queer people. Our endorsees will be true and fierce advocates for their communities.
We look forward to fighting for strong queer representation in Brooklyn. Watch this space for opportunities to contribute to and volunteer for our candidates!
Press Inquiries: admin@lidbk.com