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Cuomo condemns hate crimes and discrimination in NYC speech

Photo courtesy of Governor's office

Governor Andrew Cuomo is once again condemning hate crimes and discriminatory policies targeting gay, lesbian and transgendered people. He made the comments during an address Saturday night at the Human Rights Campaign Greater New York Gala in New York City.

Cuomo said he wants to show the rest of the nation the way forward when it comes to LGBTQ rights.

"My goal has been to make New York State the leading champion in the nation for the LGBTQ community, to be the state that ended discrimination, bias, intolerance, and judgmentalism against members of the LGBTQ community," Cuomo said.

Cuomo said his proposed budget for the coming year includes a proposal to end the antiquated ban on gestational surrogacy in New York. He said that would help not only LGBTQ couples but anyone struggling with fertility issues to form families.

While progress has been made, Cuomo said he's concerned society is starting to lose the broader war for equality.

"This is a hateful, divisive, and ugly time in this country. The number of assaults on human rights is growing," Cuomo said. "Today we see more attacks based on the color of a person's skin, a person's religion, a person's nationality and a person's sexual orientation than at any other time in modern history."

Cuomo said the violation of one invites the violation of anyone. He said there is "no room for hate" in New York.