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Liberal Place: Albany, NY
These are comments on Albany, submitted by other Turn Left visitors. They do not necessarily represent the opinion of the webmaster. You may add a comment on Albany if you want.
First, Albany, NY received an "Honorable Mention" in last year's "Best Places to Live" issue of the "Advocate."

There is a countywide Human Rights Ordinance protecting employment, housing, and credit based on sexual orientation. An ordinance supported by local Democrats, Republicans, and the area's Roman Catholic Bishop Hubbard. There are a number of GLB friendly places of worship and some even have worked with the NY ACLU to present "Fight the Right" seminars.

Albany is home to the FIRST Gay and Lesbian Community Center in the United States. The Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Center (http://www.cdglcc.org) publishes a monthly newspaper called "Community", organizes the annual pride parade (attended last year by the Mayor and other local officials), and organizes a number of support groups.

Albany was the fourth city in New York State to enact a domestic partner registry which has been in effect for nearly two years.

Albany's Keith St. John was the first African-American gay man elected to an office (City Councilman) in the U.S.

Albany, as the capital of New York State, has a number of state employees living here (including me!). As a state employee, I am covered by a specific policy banning employment discrimination based on sexual orientation AND I have domestic partner health benefits. An arrangement that was continued even after the state's leadership was lost by Democrat Mario Cuomo to Republican George Pataki.

Additionally, there is local representation for groups such as PFLAG, the NAMES Project, ACT-UP, MCC, The Empire State Pride Agenda (gay and lesbian state lobbying organization), and gay and lesbian support groups at nearly all the local colleges. Additionally the State University of NY at Albany holds an annual "Gay and Lesbian Film Festival."

There is room for improvement everywhere, but Albany is considerably better than most in my opinion. I would encourage and GLB's out there considering a move to Albany that it would *not* be a bad choice!

...and another comment...

I would agree with the comments about Albany in General.I live in the more conservative suburbs but even here there is at least a tolerance of differing Opinions and Lifestyles

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