For Immediate Release April 24, 2011 Protecting Marriage by Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz I'm a little surprised about how widely my position to support New York State's definition of marriage between a man and a woman has been covered in articles, discussed on tv, blogged, posted on facebook pages, and tweeted.  I am an ordained minister, and as such, this is what I preach and this what I believe. The media coverage has resulted in growing support from my constituents, religious leaders, and thousands of New Yorkers who don't want the marriage law changed. It has also brought out some disturbing responses and threats from hateful people who oppose my position against homosexual marriage.  For the sake of transparency, I'm going to share some of these hate-filled comments I have received and read over the past day or so. Emails I have received through my rubendiaz.com website include two from Leo Medina from Jackson Heights: "YOU ARE DESPICABLE. YOU NASTY BREEDER! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS GOING TO HELL! EAT SHIT AND DIE!" and "you are a disgusting excuse for a human being, and you will get what you deserve". Scott P emailed: "You, sir, are what we call a DOUCHEBAG." Comments that responded to an article about me on the Village Voice include one from Scott Rose who wrote: "Hopefully, Ruben Diaz will very shortly die of natural causes." CornetMustich wrote:  "Great, get the coffin ready for this clown, and send him and it to Vatican City..."  Stanley J wrote: "Will someone who is eg dying of cancer and doesnt have any relatives make his wish come true. Over his dead body........................."  And Wayne wrote: " ...as you wish, Mr Diaz.....I can arrange your final resting place in a local dump". Tweets about me include: jerseyblueboy: "That reactionary douchebag NY State Sen. Ruben Diaz is at it again." MichaelLassell: "Ruben Diaz is a pig. I don't advocate murdering ayone, but I'd be happy to piss on his grave." AaronMFlynn: : "Sen. Ruben Diaz, the man with a 13 year-old's mustache & 3 year-old's brain, will hold a massive antigay rally in NYC." WriteWendy: "Of for fuck's sake Ruben!" Jmhs: "I hate you, Ruben Diaz." Izzoiz.com: "Scumbag Of the Day: NY. Sen. Democrat Ruben Diaz..." PhilJiminezNYC:  "Democratic senator Ruben Diaz is a big ol' hateful homophobe, and continues to prove it every day" A website called GaySocialites has written an article about me titled: NY state Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. is a stupid bitch. One of the things that I thought makes the United States special is that we can disagree and still get along. Unfortunately, the growing hatred of many people in New York's homosexual community toward me does not demonstrate that. It makes no sense to me as a minister and as a Senator because I have never preached hatred toward anyone, and I denounce those who do.  My strong position against homosexual marriage is the very same as the positions held by rabbis, ministers, imams and priests. I'm not sharing this information to appear to be a victim for sympathy sake, but I do want to put this in perspective. I feel a great sympathy for the people who are targeting me with so much hatred. They will all be in my prayers.

Please Pray for Our Leaders, Pray for our troops, God Bless America:

Black Heroes in American History

Conservative Side to Martin Luther King?

America's "Moses" - MLK both pro-justice and pro-values

Our Fatherhood Vaccuum - we need the men

Where have our dads gone? a moral plea

A Father's Day pep talk from the President

Why does the world hate the Christians so much?

The greatest wealth we leave our children

Africa Bishop upholds traditional marriage

African-American "Black Church" takes bold moral stand

Dark End of the Street : Rosa Parks

Redeem the dream : fairness in sentencing

The faith roots of Barack Obama

New York City : America's City

America's Biblical Gospel Roots

What Obama can teach our youth

32nd Senatorial District - Bronx County

play you.tube PRAISE WORSHIP

Ruben Diaz was born on April 22, 1943 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. He attended the Miguel Such Vocational School in Rio Piedras. In 1960, he joined the U.S. Armed Forces and proudly served in the Army until he completed his tour of duty with an honorable discharge in 1963.

Senator Diaz has called New York City home since 1965. He received his Bachelor’s Degree at Herbert H. Lehman College in 1976. He attended the Damascus Bible Institute. In 1978 he was ordained a Minister of the Church of God. Senator Diaz became the Pastor of the Church of God located on Seward Avenue in the Bronx.

In 1977, Reverend Diaz began to pursue his interest in working for the betterment of his community by helping those in need. That year, working from the basement of his Church on Seward Avenue, Reverend Diaz founded the Christian Community Benevolent Association, Inc., a non-profit CBO geared toward helping the elderly and the needy. For many years, he served as President of the CCBA which presently employs 1000 people and serves more than 5000 senior citizens residing in Bronx County.

Reverend Diaz was appointed to serve on the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board in 1993, and he served the people of the City for three years - investigating allegations of police brutality and misconduct.

In 1997, the National Evangelical University of the Dominican Republic (Universidad Nacional Evangelica de la Republica Dominicana) awarded Reverend Diaz an honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities, in recognition of his tireless humanitarian work.

Senator Reverend Diaz has received numerous awards and honors, many of which are proudly displayed in his District Office and in his Office in Albany.

Reverend Ruben Diaz was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2002 in the 32nd Senate District in the South Bronx. In the 2008 and 2010 elections, he carried both the Republican and Democratic lines.

Prior to serving in the Senate, Reverend Diaz was elected to the New York City Council in 2001, representing the 18th District in The Bronx.

Senator Diaz founded and serves as Pastor of the Christian Community Neighborhood Church. For more than 20 years, he has served as the President of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization, which is comprised of more than 150 ministers from the tri-state area.

Senator Ruben Diaz is happily married to Leslie Yvette Diaz. He is the proud father of three children: Damaris Diaz Kiely, who is a Sergeant in the New York Police Department; Samuel Diaz, who works for the New York City Housing Authority; and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. Senator Diaz has also been blessed with six grandchildren.

Standing Committee Assignments 2011: Aging, Banks, Finance Housing Construction and Community Development, Insurance, Investigations and Government Operations, Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus, Transportation.

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz served as Chair of the Senate Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus from 2008-2010, and served as Chair of the Senate Committee on Aging when Democrats held the Senate majority.

Senator Diaz serves as a Member of the Advisory Board of Democrats for Life/New York.

Can You Donate? Volunteer? Pray?