Bloomberg's Discriminatory Court Case Unacceptable Says Task Force's Foreman
Foreman resigns his position on New York Human Rights Commission
New York City - October 19, 2004 - National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman today publicly announced his resignation from the New York City Commission on Human Rights due to the City going to court October 14 to try to keep the provisions of the Equal Benefits Law* from going into effect.
Following is the text of Foreman's letter, sent to both Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Commission on Human Rights, Patricia Gatling:
Dear Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Gatling:
It is with deep regret and immense sadness that I write to resign as a member of the Commission on Human Rights.
Serving on the Commission has been a tremendous honor and privilege. I have enormous respect for the outstanding work of Commissioner Gatling and her staff. They have turned a moribund agency into a real force for human rights.
Unfortunately, the City went to court yesterday [October 14] to try to keep the provisions of the Equal Benefits Law from going into effect. This law is in keeping with the City's - and the Commission's - long and proud tradition of working to secure equal rights for its people. For decades, the City has used its contracting and purchasing power to enforce the Human Rights Law, advance and protect the rights of religious and racial minorities and women, secure equal pay for equal work, improve working conditions and wages, and protect the freedom to organize, among many other social equity goals. Through its lawsuit, the Administration is saying loudly - and inexplicably - that gay and lesbian families do not merit being part of this tradition.
Under these circumstances, principle requires that I resign.
Sincerely,
Matt Foreman
