Ruben Diaz

100 Most Powerless New Yorkers

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Ruben Diaz Criticizes Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Others For 'Fornication'

​State Senator Ruben Diaz (who recently had a strictly no-children-allowed Christmas party) hates gay marriage, this we know. You might not be shocked to learn that he also despises extramarital cohabitation, Politicker NY reported yesterday. Earlier this week, Diaz wrote a blog post in Span ... More >>

Ruben Diaz Celebrates A Merry XXXmas With Adults Only Party

Reverend Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., defender of Wal-Mart and namesake of a building housing a gay community center, is nothing if not a paragon of family values. So that's why we assume, when the highest holiday of his religion's year comes around, Diaz will be celebrating it with a Christmas party ce ... More >>

Bronx Gay Center Moving Into The Reverend Ruben Diaz Gardens Building

Today we got a press release from the Bronx Community Pride Center announcing that they are moving out of their run-down building in Mott Haven and into swanky new digs in Hunts Point/Longwood in a facility called...The Reverend Ruben Diaz Gardens Building. Yes, you read that right, and we admit we ... More >>

Ruben Diaz Sr. Calls Black Friday a 'Blessing'

Now that state Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. has officially lost the fight against gay marriage in New York, he's on to the next thing: Walmart. Diaz released a statement regarding Walmart's absence in NYC in light of this past weekend's strong Black Friday sales. In short: sucks about the pepper spraying and ... More >>

Bronx Beep to Yanks: Pave Parking Lot, Put Up Hotel Paradise

Diaz' Facebook profile pic: Only 602 saves short of Mo.​With the new ballfields intended to replace those bulldozed five years ago to make way for Yankee Stadium: The Next Generation finally nearing completion — look, you can even see them now on Google Maps! — it's time to finally ... More >>

Midtown Mayhem As Anti-SSM Groups Send Mixed Messages

Esther Zuckerman​Same-sex Sunday was anything but a day of celebration for the groups that remain adamantly opposed to gay marriage, and whose protests collided in midtown in the afternoon. A rally organized in part by the National Organization for Marriage, but where the main draw seemed to b ... More >>

Rubén Díaz, Sr. Proud to Have "Made History" as Last Democratic Bigot

C.S. MuncyRev. Sen. Díaz playing air guitar​Reverend Sen. Rubén Díaz, Sr., the lone Democratic senator out of 30 to vote against the Marriage Equality Act, is proud to have made history, even though he voted for the losing side. "I made history. I'm the only New York State Democrat that vo ... More >>

Erica Díaz, Lesbian Granddaugher of Sen. Ruben Díaz Sr., Talks About Gay Rights

Happy Pride Sunday. As we wrote last week in the Voice feature story "Diaz Family Values," no family more starkly shows where New York has been on same-sex marriage equality and where it is going than the house of Díaz. Senator Reverend Ruben Díaz, Sr. babbled incoherently in front of the world F ... More >>

Diaz Family Values

While Rubén Díaz Sr. lobs bombs against gay rights, son Rubén Jr. and lesbian granddaughter Erica run for cover

This Week in the Voice: The Queer Issue

​It's the Queer Issue! This week in the Voice, Steven Thrasher takes a look at the complicated relationship between members of Bronx Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz Sr.'s family when it comes to gay rights. Senior is staunchly anti-gay marriage; his son, Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., ... More >>

Ruben Diaz's Logic? Five of Six Latino State Senators Support Same-Sex Marriage.

Last Sunday, Reverend Ruben Diaz made a big deal about the role of Latino state senators in deciding the future of same-sex marriage in New York. As he addressed a crowd overwhelmingly composed of religious Hispanics, Diaz repeatedly led the flock to believe that the issue would be made or broken by ... More >>

Ruben Diaz Has a Rather Queer Anti-Gay March in the Rain

​Though the rain caused the cancellation of the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade, it would not deter Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. from holding his "March for Morality" against gay marriage yesterday. Over the next several hours, the Bronx County Courthouse would provide the set for a very strang ... More >>

Videos From Ruben Diaz Sr.'s Anti-Gay Marriage Rally

Our intrepid Steven Thrasher went and scoped out state senator Ruben Diaz Sr.'s anti-gay marriage rally in the Bronx today. You know, the one cunningly timed to coincide with the annual AIDS Walk and with Diaz's own son's Bronx Week events. The event's main speakers were Diaz and National Organi ... More >>

Ruben Diaz, Sr. Appearing in AIDS Walk -- In Drag!

​In a breaking news development, Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz, Sr. is giving up his anti-LGBT "March for Morality" plans and will, in fact, be earning money for the AIDS Walk this Sunday instead. Actually, he won't. But a cardboard cut-out of Diaz will be raising money for GMHC in his place! The ... More >>

Marjorie Hill (GMHC) Responds to Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr.'s Anti-Gay March Plans

In response to Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr.'s plan to hold an anti-gay marriage march at the same time as the AIDS Walk, Marjorie Hill, the CEO of Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC), has responded:

Father Knows Best: State Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr.'s Anti-Gay-Marriage Parade to Disrupt Boro Prez Son's Event

Jr and Sr on a happier occasion​Looks like it isn't just HIV positive New Yorkers whose parade Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz, Sr. is intent on raining upon. When it came out last Friday that Diaz Sr. would be holding an anti-gay marriage rally on May 15, gay rights activists were furious becau ... More >>

Ruben Diaz Sr.: Gay Marriage Over My Dead Body

​UPDATE AFTER THE JUMP: Why Diaz's date for a protest presents a special problem for a potential counter-protest. As the newly formed New Yorkers United to Marry sets their sights on the New York Senate, there's one vote they're definitely not going to swing. It's no real surprise that Senat ... More >>

NY Primaries 2010: The Runnin' Scared Liveblog

​Ah, New York City! It's the day to vote in the election you know about and think you're going to vote in but might not, one in which the most suspenseful race of the day involves whether or not you actually care enough to get out there and pull the lever. We're going to be liveblogging and up ... More >>

'What the Diaz?' Is Our Favorite New Game

​Via Joe My God, we've discovered an amusing game called "What the Diaz?" A lot of crazy garbage is known to spill out of Senator Ruben Diaz Sr.'s mouth on a regular basis. But Fight Back New York, the PAC that is trying to oust all the state senators who voted against gay marriage last fall, ... More >>

Ruben Diaz Jr., Under Union Pressure, Moves Black History Event

​Score one for the unions. A public event celebrating Black History Month was supposed to be held at the Bronx Museum of the Arts this evening. But the UAW Local 2110, which organizes local museum workers, went out of contract with the Bronx Museum last summer, and claims management is trying ... More >>

Ruben Diaz Asks: If Hiram Monserrate Rates an Investigation, Why Not Kevin Parker?

​You may recall that in Hiram Monserrate's darkest days -- back before the judge in his assault case let him off with probation -- fellow state senator and member of the "Gang of Three" (which muscled the senate for favors last year) Ruben Diaz Sr. complained that there was a racist component ... More >>

Gov Says "Roadblocks" Cleared, But Still No Albany Gay Marriage Vote

Though the tone of much coverage has been hopeful ("The Senate appears to be on the brink of a vote on marriage equality... they reconvene at 9 pm," said Towleroad), the state senate hasn't done anything about the gay marriage bill yet. The assembly happily voted, for the second time and with a wide ... More >>

Gay Marriage Debate Continues: Diaz Cries "Treason"!

So, Who Do We Have to Blow? We'll find out shortly. The marriage debate has begun in the state senate. By the end of the day, the undecideds should be outed, and marriage advocates (if they haven't retired) will know exactly who they'll have to blow moving forward. But before the vote, a lot of ... More >>

Council Big Puts Squeeze on Kingsbridge Armory Developer for "Living Wage"

​Last month the city planning commission approved the Kingsbridge Mall project, in which Related Companies will turn the old Bronx armory into a shopping center, without adding a "living wage" requirement as Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. had hoped. But the city council may yet put the ... More >>

Diaz: Come to The Bronx and Get a $275 Laptop (Tell 'Em the Voice Sent You!)

​Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. (pictured left) and Plinio Ayala (right), CEO of Bronx non-profit Per Scholas, have 1,000 previously-owned laptops, and they'll sell them to you for $275 each. As part of the Beep's "Smart Start to the School Year" program, Diaz and Ayala got donors, i ... More >>

Watch ALCS 3 at Yankee Stadium, On TV (FREE)

​The series has gone back to Anaheim but if you want to watch Game 3 of the American League Championship Series between the Yankees and the Angels at Yankee Stadium, the team "after consultation with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr." has arranged for that tonight: Turnstiles between Gat ... More >>

Planning Commission Approves Kingsbridge Mall, Won't Require "Living-Wage" Jobs

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., local activists, and labor leaders said that if the Kingsbridge Armory was going to be turned into a mall, as the city proposed, its management should be made to pay workers "living wage" rates. It looks like they won't get their wish: the City Planning Commis ... More >>

Primary Afternoon with Katz & Diaz

By Steven Thrasher. Melinda Katz, Democratic nominee for comptroller, was joined by Ruben Diaz Jr. at the Parkchester 6 train exit in the Bronx. She looked somewhat tired and run down,but joked today's "been easy! I woke up at noon, watched some soap operas" between greeting commuters. The Br ... More >>

Cheek, in Review: 7 Days of Runnin' Scared

​ Twitpic by iamawizard. The week started with an underwear run and went downhill from there. President Obama's Supreme Court pick, Sonia Sotomayor, rocked the Judiciary Committee. He felt so good about that he released unexpected stimulus money for New York cops, and announced Medal of ... More >>

Bronx Beep, Son of Anti-Gay Crusader, Issues Pro-Gay Proclamation

​Today Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. (center) presented Demetrius McCord and Lisa Winters of the Bronx Community Pride Center with a proclamation celebrating Bronx Pride Day. According to his office, Diaz discussed with them "their shared agenda for the Bronx LGBT community, including ... More >>

20,000 in Midtown Protest Gay Marriage, Paterson, Silver, Village Voice

Photos by Candice M. Giove. When State Senator Rev. Ruben Diaz ascended the stage at an anti-gay marriage rally Sunday in front of Governor David A. Paterson's midtown office, he tried to put the fear of the God-fearing flock that stretched for several city blocks into him and his fellow politici ... More >>

Runnin' Scared's DeSio to Work for New Bronx Beep

John DeSio -- veteran reporter for many local pubs including New York Press, the New York Sun, and the Voice, and frequent contributor to Runnin' Scared -- has slipped the surly bonds of journalism and will serve new Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. as communications director. He is curren ... More >>

Senator Diaz: Stopping Malcolm Smith was Paterson's Idea

Our colleague John DeSio via Bob Kappstatter points us to this wonderful interview with state senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., one of our favorite local politicians, in The Capitol. "I'm going to tell you something that I haven't told anyone," promises Diaz. (An ellipsis follows. Maybe he was trying to go ... More >>

New Day of Hope and Progress as Diaz Wins Bronx Borough Presidency

Expectedly, Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr. won the special election for Bronx Borough President last night. What, you didn't hear? Even though it's a powerful office -- outgoing Bronx Beep and account padder Adolfo Carrion has risen to serve in the Obama Administration -- no one cares because everyone c ... More >>

Diaz Beep Victory Party: "The Clamor from Bronxites"

A group of citywide elected officials -- including mayoral candidate and New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson -- clapped their hands to the blaring music, but an enormous crowd drowned them out with chants of "Ruben, Ruben!" as the winner of the Bronx Borough President special election made his ... More >>

Silver: Bridge Tolls Off, For Now

The Queens Gazette was wondering whether Sheldon Silver had the votes to push bridge tolls through the assembly. Now it looks as if he doesn't: thanks in part to outer-borough opposition, Silver is backing off, says PolitickerNY. It's not that the assembly speaker doesn't necessarily have the votes, ... More >>

Special Elections Tomorrow; Endorsements Roll In

It's off-season politically, but tomorrow's special elections and the recent appointment of the Bronx borough president to the Obama Administration have stirred some endorsement activity. Debi Rose (pictured), who stands for Michael McMahon's vacated Brooklyn/Staten Island city council seat in tom ... More >>

Diaz Endorses Mystery Candidate, "Last Name Diaz," for Beep

As you may have heard, Adolfo Carrion has been appointed by the Obama Administration to head the White House Office of Urban Affairs, which will leave the Bronx borough presidency vacant. Bronx pols are already scrambling for the seat. Our own John DeSio approached one of our most telegenic state ... More >>

Chairman Diaz Looks at Canada Drugs for Seniors

Ruben Diaz has sent a note asking state senate colleagues to join the committee on aging, of which he is now chairman. After assuring the senators that he knew their concern for the elderly, and that they were "committed to ending their relegation to a twilight of quiet despair," Diaz said he intend ... More >>

Espada, Hailed as "Mi Hermano" by Malcolm Smith, Swears Into Senate

Homophobe Ruben Diaz, l., gives gavel to Pedro Espada. Photos by John DeSio. Fresh from their behind-closed-doors victory over Malcolm Smith and the new Democratic majority in the State Senate, the so-called "Gang of Three" held what amounted to a victory party last night in the concert hall of Le ... More >>

Habemus Corruptio! Senates Dems' Deal Settled

We know we've said this before, but it looks as if, on the morning of the actual vote, the Democrats of the state senate have pulled together a deal that will get everyone, including the rebellious Gang of Three, on board for Malcolm Smith to be elected to majority leader. The New York Times break ... More >>

Albany! LL Cool J Endorses Smith, Diaz Fights "Homosexual Marriage"

Say, aren't our elected representatives supposed to go to Albany and get sworn in on January 1? And isn't the fate of the elected Democratic majority -- the state's first since the Ice Age -- still unsettled? Would-be Majority Leader Malcolm Smith's biggest achievement recently was to pick up the en ... More >>

How the 'Gang of Three' Ties Up Senate Dems

Smith Peels Off a State Senate Dissident, Says He'll Allow Term Limits Vote

Diaz Splits, and Now It's a "Gang of 2" in State Senate (Updated)

Looks Like Diaz is Still Splintered -- Denies Deal with Smith

4 State Senate Dems Continue to Defy Leadership

Dep/Rep State Senator Praises Palin, "Traditional Values"

Liebermania in the Bronx? Diaz Sr. May Go Both Ways