New York City Takes A Liberal Turn

[Guest Paragon]

It’s been rather fascinating to watch New York change hands from the rather stodgy leadership of the capable Michael Bloomberg, to the more casual and very liberal Bill DeBlasio. It’s been so long since a liberal held a major office where he had actual power that all eyes have been on New York this week.

DeBlasio came from behind in the New York primary. Lesbian Christine Quinn looked for a while like she would become the city’s first lesbian mayor. But tales of her temperament, plus her support of Bloomberg, especially his rather unconstitutional claim to a third term, derailed her as Public Advocate DeBlasio surged to claim a surprise victory.

And now we see a lesbian in the mayor’s office after all. DeBlasio’s wife of 20 years, Chirlane, even wrote about her commitment to being a lesbian, claiming she was gratified to have escaped marriage to a man. This history was downplayed by the DeBlasio campaign, with many only learning about it after he was elected. But surely she had the right to change her mind, even if it meant suppressing some desires in return for what the marriage has brought her. A detailed look is found here: http://politicker.com/2012/12/the-lesbian-past-of-bill-de-blasios-wife/

Besides now being the First Lady of New York City, she is the mother of two children. 15 year old son Dante DeBlasio came to the public attention with his huge Afro and his eloquent advertisement for his father. http://youtu.be/GgvXniTz7D8

Daughter Chiara is now coming into view for her history of rampant drug abuse. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/25/nyregion/de-blasios-daughter-admits-to-substance-abuse.html

So, it’s quite a collection of unique individuals that come along with the mayor as he moves them all into Gracie Mansion- a unique choice itself in that former mayors Giuliani and Bloomberg avoided living in the place. The mayor’s history is more widely known. Prior to serving as the city’s Public Advocate for the last four years, he was a City Councilman from Brooklyn, where, according to Wikipedia, he showed a liberal bent:

“ ...deBlasio passed legislation to prevent landlord discrimination against tenants who hold federal housing subsidy vouchers, and helped pass the HIV/AIDS Housing Services law, improving housing services for low income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.[26][27] As head of the City Council’s General Welfare Committee, de Blasio helped pass the Gender-Based Discrimination Protection law to protect transgender New Yorkers, and passed the Domestic Partnership Recognition Law to ensure that same sex couples in a legal partnership could enjoy the same legal benefits as heterosexual couples in New York City.[28] During his tenure, the General Welfare Committee also passed the Benefits Translation for Immigrants Law, which helped non-English speakers access free language assistance services when accessing government programs.[29]”

So, there we have it. A liberal mayor, a unique character as his life partner, an impressive young son, and a daughter whose troubles may yet allow her to become an inspiration for similarly troubled youth.

Not the least of it all is the rainbow flavor the family has. Blacks have not been this close to power in the city since Mayor David Dinkins in the early 90’s. One might argue the same for lesians, drug addicts, and articulate black youth!

It will be an interesting time, a huge challenge, and very high stakes. I wish them all well.

[MsGuy]

A very New York love story, or so it seems to this very rural redneck.

Enjoyed your post, Paragon. Thank you for taking the trouble.

[Guest Paragon]

I hadn't thought of it as a New york love story, but I can see that, thanks to you, MsGuy. I am glad that you enjoyed the post.

[TampaYankee]

Yea!! Has anyone petitioned him to bring back Stella's and the Gaiety?