LGBT Network President and CEO David Kilmnick condemned Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Steven Labriola after the recently appointed official went on an anti-transgender tirade, tweeting disparaging and demeaning remarks about transgender individuals and non-binary gender identities. Kilmnick slammed Labriola for “his reckless words calling it ‘corporate lunacy’ for United Airlines to offer their customers the freedom to gender identify themselves by making non-binary gender options available and calling for people to avoid the airlines along with other companies that promote freedom for people to be themselves.”
Kilmnick released the following statement:
“Steven Labriola’s tweet was insensitive, uncalled for, bigoted, and offensive to transgender and non-binary individuals everywhere. We demand an apology or his immediate resignation.
“Suicide attempts are at shocking highs amongst transgender youth. More than half of transgender and non-binary teens reported attempting suicide at some point in their lives. Many transgender young people experience family rejection, bullying and harassment, or feel unsafe for simply being who they are—all of which can be added risk factors for suicide. Councilman Labriola’s tweet perpetuates stigma and hate and he is just as responsible for creating these unsafe environments that lead to transgender youth wanting to take their lives.
“We encourage the recently-appointed councilman to focus more on helping, and respecting, all of the people of Oyster Bay, rather than spending his evenings spewing Trump-like hate on Twitter. The LGBT Network has offices in the Town of Oyster Bay and we will not tolerate this slander and reckless behavior against the people he is supposed to represent. It is now even more abundantly clear that he is out of touch with the needs of Oyster Bay residents and all Long Island families and his bigoted perspectives have no place in today’s politics.”
—Submitted by LGBT Network
