State lawmakers eye LGBTQ+ caucus in Albany
The state Legislature is poised to have the most out-LGBTQ+ members in its history at the start of the next year. Now, both current and likely incoming lawmakers are saying it’s time the body formed an LGBTQ+ caucus to formally advocate for issues important to the community.
After last month’s Democratic primary elections, the state Senate is set to have at least three out-LGBTQ+ members: state Sens. Jabari Brisport and Erik Bottcher, and likely incoming state Sen. Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas. The Assembly is set to have at least seven out members: Assembly Members Tony Simone, Diana Moreno and Harry Bronson, and likely incoming Assembly Members Brian Romero, David Orkin, Christian Celeste Tate and Illapa Saritupac. That number could go up to eight if David Siffert, who is nonbinary, wins their recount in a lower Manhattan race, set to take place Monday.
All told, that’s at least 10 members between both chambers in the Legislature next year. Romero, who won a primary in western Queens last month, said he’s already had some conversations with members about creating a caucus for the first time. “There is a lot of excitement and appetite for such a space,” Romero told City & State. He cited both the historic numbers and ongoing attacks from the federal administration against especially transgender people as reasons the time has come to formally organize the Legislature’s LGBTQ+ voices.
Among those members that Romero has spoken to about the prospect is Simone, who said he too has reached out to some of his colleagues in both chambers. “I think we can’t just be on the defensive as an LGBTQ, queer community,” he told City & State.
https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2026/07/state-lawmakers-eye-lgbtq-caucus-albany/414732/?oref=csny-category-lander-top-story