Last night, Manhattan Young Democrats hosted its 3rd Annual “Young Gets it Done Awards.” Among the five honorees: East Village resident and recent Community Board 3 appointee Natasha Dillon.
The blurb on MYD’s web site notes that Dillon (founding member of the advocacy organization Queer Rising), is a “tireless advocate for LGBT rights and equality” and has been arrested at protests numerous times in the past few years.
Dillon is already making her mark on the community board.
This past spring, another group Dillon helps lead (she’s vice president), the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, presented an award of its own — the First Annual “Lavender Padlock Award.” given to “expose anti-nightlife zealots who work assiduously to close our legally licensed nightlife establishments.”
(see a larger version of this document here)
The first honorees? State Senator Daniel Squadron and Community Board 3 District Manager Susan Stetzer. In a flyer distributed this summer to every member of CB3, Squadron was singled out for “persuading state legislators to pass repressive and unfair bills that often prohibit nightlife establishments from operating…” Stetzer was criticized for “browbeating” liquor applicants. According to the flyer, they “must grovel before the heavy-handed Stetzer for the opportunity to operate a business.”
In April, Dillon spoke with The Local East Village about her concerns regarding CB3’s liquor policies.
Several special guests were in attendance at last night’s event, including Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer (who appointed Dillon to CB3) and NYC Comptroller John Liu. Both Liu and Stringer are expected to run for mayor. Both men sit on the Board of Governors of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club. The club, headed by powerful gay activist Allen Raskoff, chose not to endorse Squadron in 2008, when he unseated longtime incumbent Marty Connor.
