Comptroller Scott Stringer Should Learn about Tolerance from Governor Andrew Cuomo

What You Should Know
By Senator Rev Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District
718-991-3161

Comptroller Scott Stringer Should Learn about Tolerance from Governor Andrew Cuomo

You should know that the equal employment opportunity laws of the State and City of New York mandate than an employer cannot discriminate in hiring because of sex, color, race, nationality, religion, sexual preference, etc., etc.

You should also know that Scott Stringer, who is the Comptroller of the City of New York, has been criticizing and examining the conduct of other people, and has been preaching about “Tolerance” without recognizing his own intolerance. Mr. Stringer has been using his office and public funds to screen out those not in favor of same-sex marriage, denying them employment in his office, violating the law and discriminating against people of faith who reject marriage between same-sex people.

Case on hand: my wife. You should know that my wife, Leslie Díaz, was employed by an agency in the Borough of the Bronx when she applied for a position with Comptroller Scott Stringer. After being interviewed on three different occasions by Mr. Stringer’s office, she was offered a position which she accepted, resigning from the job she held in the Bronx.

Leslie’s co-workers gave her a very nice going away party. We were all very happy that Leslie was going to be working for the New York City Comptroller’s Office. Then, two days before her expected start date for her new position, she got a phone call informing her that Scott Stringer had just received a copy of a video that shows Leslie standing and participating with me – her husband – at a peaceful demonstration that we held in opposition to same-sex marriage.

During that phone conversation, my wife was informed that because of that video, where we were expressing, as U.S. citizens, our religious beliefs and our Constitutional right to assemble, the Comptroller was rescinding his job offer, and that she should not report to work.

My wife Leslie was left high and dry and unemployed – and only because according to Scott Stringer, there is no place in his taxpayer-funded office for those whose core religious beliefs oppose same-sex marriage. What a shame! And then he talks about “Tolerance?”

Scott Stinger should learn a lesson in “Tolerance” from Governor Andrew Cuomo.

You should know that I am a person who has criticized Governor Andrew Cuomo many times. I have organized demonstrations against the Governor. I have written columns condemning his actions, and in this past election, I publicly supported Mr. Rob Astorino against him. My dear reader, if someone should be angry with me, it should be Governor Andrew Cuomo.

It is important for you to know that during his past re-election campaign, I had lunch with Governor Andrew Cuomo. During that lunch, I explained to him the discrimination Scott Stringer demonstrated against a qualified Hispanic woman who, because of her religious beliefs, is opposed to marriage between a man and a man, or a woman and a woman. The Governor, after expressing disappointment with Scott Stringer’s actions told me, “I would never allow something like this to happen in my Administration.” 

Could you imagine, my dear reader, even though everyone knows that Governor Cuomo is the biggest proponent of same-sex marriage in New York State, he does not discriminate against anyone who opposes it.

A little more than a year has passed since I had lunch with the Governor. Since that time, I have had several contacts with the Governor’s Office. My wife Leslie even received a job offer from his Office. She was interviewed on three occasions. The Governor offered my wife a job with a salary and a starting date.  This happened even though I endorsed his Republican opponent, Rob Astorino and even though the Governor knows that my wife, because of her religious beliefs, opposes same-sex marriage.  What a difference between Governor Cuomo and Scott Stringer!

This alone gives me no other alternative than to suggest that Comptroller Stringer should sit down with Governor Andrew Cuomo and learn a few lessons about “Tolerance.”

It is important for you to know that my wife, Leslie, went to the interviews and she was very happy to be offered a job with a set salary and a date to start. She recognized the sincerity of the Governor’s job offer, in spite of her religious convictions and her opposition to same-sex marriage.

After careful reflection, she called the Governor’s Office to decline the job offer, thanking  him and expressing her gratitude for the respect, treatment and courtesy given to her, even though they know that she is a devout pro-life and pro-family advocate.

As you can see, even though Leslie is still unemployed, there is a huge difference between the conduct and behavior of Comptroller Scott Stinger and Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the way in which they treated my wife.

Ladies and gentlemen, in my humble opinion, Comptroller Scott Stinger should go and sit at the feet of Governor Andrew Cuomo and learn a few lessons about “Tolerance.” He should learn how to abide by our laws that reject employment discrimination against people because of  sex, color, race nationality, religion, sexual preference, etc.

This is Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz, and this is what you should know.