'I lived fear of vlence and bullyg': Rep. Torr on beg gay | CNN

Contents:

• ‘I LIVED FEAR OF VLENCE AND BULLYG’: REP. TORR ON BEG GAY
• RCHIE TORR BE FIRST GAY AO LATO ELECTED TO CONGRS
• FIRST OPENLY GAY AO-LATO U.S. NGRSMAN: 'NEVER MY WILST DREAMS'
• BATTLE FOR THE BRONX: QUEER LATX MILLENNIAL FAC RUBéN "GAY SEX IS BTIALY" DíAZ SR.IF COUNCIL MEMBER RCHIE TORR WS, HE'D BEE NEW YORK'S FIRST OPENLY LGBTQ {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY NI LANGAUGT 1, 2019/9:29 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:900PX;WIDTH:1600PX;}LEFT: NOAM GALAI/GETTY IMAG; RIGHT: ANDREW LICHTENSTE/CORBIS VIA GETTY IMAG BY NI LANGAUGT 1, 2019 / 9:29 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"BATTLE FOR THE BRONX: QUEER LATX MILLENNIAL FAC RUBéN \"GAY SEX IS BTIALY\" DíAZ SR.","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2019-08-01T13:29:05.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2019-08-01T13:29:05.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"NI LANG","KEYWORDS":"ELECTN","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PICTURED ABOVE: RCHIE TORR (L) AND RUBéN DíAZ SR. (R).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RCHIE TORR HAS BEEN TAKG ON DONALD TMP HIS WHOLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS A YOUNG BOY, TORR AND HIS FAY LIVED ACROSS THE STREET OM THE TMP GOLF LKS AT FERRY POT THE EAST BRONX, WHICH ST NEW YORK CY AN TIMATED $125 LN TO BUILD. THROGGS NECK HO, THE PUBLIC HOG PROJECT HE LIVED WH HIS MOTHER, SISTER, AND TW BROTHER, ULDN’T HAVE BEEN MORE DIFFERENT. MUCH OF THE CY’S PUBLIC HOG, HE SAYS, IS OVERN WH “MOLD, LEAD, AND VERM,” AND MANY RINTS LACK “RELIABLE HEAT AND HOT WATER THE WTER.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TORR SAYS HIS ADVOCY GREW OUT OF THE REALIZATN THAT HIS BOROUGH WAS A “TALE OF TWO CI.” THERE WAS THE BRONX HE KNEW, WHERE SGLE MOTHERS ARE RAISG THREE KIDS ON MIMUM WAGE, AND THAT OF TMP, WHICH ROBBER BARONS OF HERED WEALTH PROF OFF A SYSTEM SIGNED FOR THEM TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I REMEMBER AT THE TIME THKG TO MYSELF: ‘WHY WOULD THE ERNMENT VT MORE PUBLIC ROURC NSTCTG A GILD, GATED GOLF URSE FOR DONALD TMP THAN THE HOM OF STGGLG NEW YORKERS?” HE TELLS NEWNOWNEXT.SPENCER PLATT/GETTY IMAGNEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20: NEW YORK CY COUNCIL MEMBER RCHIE TORR IS ARRTED WH OTHER ACTIVISTS AT A RALLY MANDG THAT THE TMP ADMISTRATN ABANDON PROPOSALS TO CUT THE HOG AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT'S (HUD) BUDGET ON APRIL 20, 2017 NEW YORK CY. MEMBERS OF THE #NOCUTS COALN, CLUDG AN ALLIANCE OF DOZENS OF GRASSROOTS GROUPS, CIVIC ANIZATNS, FAH LEARS, AND LABOR UNNS GATHERED AT FERAL PLAZA TO PROTT THE PROPOSED CUTS. AROUND A DOZEN PROTTERS BRIEFLY BLOCKED TRAFFIC AN ACT OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE BEFORE BEG ARRTED. (PHOTO BY SPENCER PLATT/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}COUNCIL MEMBER RCHIE TORR IS ARRTED AT A TMP PROTT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TORR CID TO DITE HIS LIFE BY WORKG TO IMPROVE THE LIV OF FELLOW RINTS OF THE BRONX WHO HAD BEEN LEFT BEHD BY THOSE POWER. HE BEME A HOG ANIZER AND THEN A NDIDATE FOR THE NEW YORK CY COUNCIL AT 24, THE YOUNGT NYC UNCIL MEMBER HISTORY. DPE HAVG NEVER HELD PUBLIC OFFICE, TORR BTED A CROWD FIELD WHICH CLUD THE MUNY UNCIL PRINT FOR THE 46TH PRECCT AND THE CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE OUTGOG UNCIL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS EXPERIENCE GROWG UP ONE OF NEW YORK’S POORT NEIGHBORHOODS WILL AGA PROPEL THE 31-YEAR-OLD TO THE HEATED RACE FOR THE 15TH U.S. CONGRSNAL DISTRICT, WHERE THE SPECTER OF THE MANR--CHIEF LOOMS LARGE ONCE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEE THE 15TH DISTRICT IS AMONG THE MOST SOLIDLY DEMOCRATIC THE UNTRY, THE OUTE IS LIKELY TO BE CID NEXT YEAR’S PRIMARI. ALTHOUGH THE SEVEN-PERSON RACE ALREADY CLUS A VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATNAL COMMTEE AND A FORMER NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLYMAN, MANY SAY THE EARLY ONT-NNER IS FELLOW UNCIL MEMBER RUBéN DíAZ SR. A 76-YEAR-OLD PENTESTAL MISTER, DíAZ IS A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL FAI BRONX POLICS. HIS SON IS THE BOROUGH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF TORR’ CHILDHOOD WAS A STUDY NTRASTS, THE RACE FOR NEW YORK’S 15TH IS SHAPG UP TO REPEAT HISTORY. WHILE TORR SCRIB HIMSELF AS A “LENNIAL PROGRSIVE,” HE LLS HIS OPPONENT A “TMP REPUBLIN MASQUERADG AS A DEMOCRAT.” DíAZ MPAIGNED WH SEN. TED CZ THE BRONX DURG HIS 2016 PRINTIAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S MORE, DíAZ HAS A BRAZENLY ANTI-LGBTQ RERD. HE SERVED FOR 15 YEARS THE NEW YORK SENATE, WHERE HE WAS THE ONLY MEMBER OF HIS PARTY TO VOTE AGAST MARRIAGE EQUALY. HE HAS ALSO PARED HOMOSEXUALY TO “HAVG SEX WH ANIMALS,” OPPOSED THE 1994 GAY GAM NEW YORK BEE ATHLET “WOULD LIKELY BE FECTED WH AIDS,” AND CLAIMED THE NEW YORK CY COUNCIL IS “NTROLLED BY THE HOMOSEXUAL MUNY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THOSE MENTS PERSONALLY IMPACTED TORR NOT JT BEE HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK CY COUNCIL BUT BEE HE IS A GAY MAN. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SEVERAL OPENLY LGBTQ MEMBERS OF THE UNCIL, HE IS THE FIRST TO REPRENT THE BRONX. TORR REMAS THE ONLY OUT ELECTED OFFICIAL NEW YORK’S SEND-LARGT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TORR BELIEV THE RACE IS A “STGGLE FOR THE SOUL” OF HIS DISTRICT. IF ELECTED, HE WOULD BE THE FIRST LGBTQ LATX PERSON ELECTED TO CONGRS AND THE FIRST LGBTQ NDIDATE—OF ANY ETHNICY—TO BE ELECTED OM NEW YORK. WHILE HE’S GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE BLAZE ANOTHER TRAIL FOR REPRENTATN, TORR BELIEV ’S “IRONIC AND TRAGIC THAT THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT HAS NEVER HAD LGBTQ REPRENTATN CONGRS.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THE RACE FOR CONGRS IS A CHOICE BETWEEN MAKG HISTORY AND TURNG THE CLOCK BACK,” HE SAYS. “IT’S A CHOICE BETWEEN A PROGRSIVE NEW GUARD AND A REACTNARY OLD GUARD. IT HAS THE FEEL OF A GENERAL ELECTN.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALTHOUGH TORR SAYS “NAME REGNN N TAKE YOU FAR” NEW YORK POLICS, THE SELF-SCRIBED “UNRDOG” IS QUICKLY EMERGG AS A MAJOR THREAT THE RACE. HE HAS OUTRAISED DíAZ BY A 6-TO-1 MARG AND EARNED THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE EQUALY PAC. THE FLUENTIAL GROUP, WHICH REPRENTS THE FUNDRAISG ARM OF THE LGBTQ CONGRSNAL CC, IS LIMED TO DONATG $5,000 TO NDIDAT; HOWEVER, THE PAC IS PERMTED TO FUNNEL ADDNAL FUNDS THROUGH ASSOCIATED PACS.BUDD WILLIAMS/NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE VIA GETTY IMAGUNITED STATES - AUGUST 23: CY COUNCILMAN RUBEN DIAZ SR. (D- BRONX) GETS SUPPORT OM DEMOCRATS HIS BID TO BE STATE SENATOR OM THE BRONX ON THE STEPS OF THE BRONX SUPREME COURT BUILDG. (PHOTO BY BUDD WILLIAMS/NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CY COUNCILMAN RUBéN DíAZ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT TORR PLANS TO FIGHT S OF ENTRENCHED POLICS THE OLD FASHNED WAY. HE SAYS ONE OF THE KEY REASONS HE WON NOVEMBER 2012 IS THAT HE “KNOCKED ON THOANDS OF DOORS” THE BRONX. MANY OF THE PEOPLE HE SPOKE TO SAID THAT ALL THEIR YEARS OF LIVG THE BOROUGH, THEY’D NEVER BEEN VISED BY A NDIDATE FOR PUBLIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALTHOUGH HE HAD BEEN OUT SCE HIS SOPHOMORE YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL WHEN HE ME OUT DURG A SCHOOLWI FOM ON MARRIAGE EQUALY, TORR HAD TO MAKE A CISN DURG THAT DOOR-KNOCKG EFFORT: IF THE SUBJECT OF HIS SEXUAL ORIENTATN ME UP, WOULD HE ADDRS ? CAMPAIGNG AS A GAY MAN THE BRONX WAS A MAJOR RISK. ALTHOUGH THE BOROUGH VOTED 97% FOR BARACK OBAMA THE 2012 PRINTIAL ELECTN, ’S AMONG THE MORE SOCIALLY NSERVATIVE DISTRICTS THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ULTIMATELY, TORR CHOSE TO BE HONT. HE BELIEV THAT MEETG VOTERS FACE-TO-FACE GAVE THEM THE OPPORTUNY TO SEE HIM NOT JT AS AN LGBTQ NDIDATE, BUT STEAD AS “RCHIE, THE FIGHTER FOR THE BRONX.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“WHAT IS BETIFUL ABOUT A LOL MPAIGN IS YOU N GO TO PEOPLE'S HOM AND GIVE THEM A WDOW TO WHO YOU ARE,” HE SAYS. “PREJUDICE THRIV ON LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, AND PEOPLE WHO HAD PREJUDIC WERE ABLE TO OVERE THEM AND SUPPORT A NDIDACY LIKE ME. WHEN THE VOTERS ME TO KNOW WHO I WAS, THEY WERE PELLED TO VOTE FOR ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TORR IS NFINT VOTERS WILL MAKE THE SAME CHOICE NEXT JUNE, WHEN BRONX RINTS ST THEIR PRIMARY BALLOTS. IN HIS TWO TERMS ON THE NEW YORK CY COUNCIL, HE SAYS HE’S BEEN ABLE TO “LEVERAGE THE POWER OF THE BULLY PULP TO FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STGGLG THE MOST.” IN 2013, TORR HELD THE FIRST CY UNCIL HEARG A PUBLIC HOG VELOPMENT TO DISCS THE LACK OF FEMA FUNDG DISBURSED TO RINTS WHOSE RINC WERE STROYED BY SUPERSTORM SANDY.NOAM GALAI/GETTY IMAGNEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: RCHIE TORR ATTENDS THE 2016 GMHC SPRG GALA DNER AT CIPRIANI 42ND STREET ON MARCH 21, 2016 NEW YORK CY. (PHOTO BY NOAM GALAI/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DURG THOSE HEARGS, TORR LEARNED HOW MUCH HADN’T CHANGED SCE THE DAYS WHEN HE LOOKED ON AT TMP’S GILD GAT OM HIS BEDROOM WDOW. AN ELRLY WOMAN TTIFIED THAT HER APARTMENT WAS SO LD DURG THE WTER THAT SHE LEFT HER OVEN ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY, RISKG ATH OM RBON MONOXI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE TTIMONI OF NEW YORKERS ON THE MARGS PROVED EFFECTIVE. THE HEARG LED TO A $3 BILLN VTMENT PUBLIC HOG OM FEMA, WHICH TORR CLAIMS IS “THE LARGT THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK CY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OVER THE NEXT YEAR, TORR HOP TO NVEY TO NSTUENTS THAT HE WILL KEEP FIGHTG FOR THEM CONGRS, WHICH IS WHERE HE BELIEV HE N MAKE THE GREATT IMPACT. AS AN ADVOTE FOR AFFORDABLE HOG ON THE CY UNCIL FOR SIX YEARS, HE KNOWS THAT UNCIL MEMBERS ARE LIMED HOW MUCH THEY N DO. NEARLY EVERY SGLE DOLLAR DISTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC HOG OM FERAL FUNDG, WHETHER ’S FEMA RELIEF, LOW-E TAX CREDS, OR THE SECTN 8 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TORR SAYS HIS PCH TO VOTERS IS THE SAME ONE HE’S BEEN PROVG TO THEM FOR SIX YEARS: “I’M ONE OF YOU, AND I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I N TELL THEM, ‘I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU OM A PLACE OF LIVED EXPERIENCE,’” HE SAYS. “MY STORY IS THE STORY OF THE BRONX. IT’S A STORY OF STGGLE, BUT ’S ALSO A STORY OF OVERG. THE BRONX IS WHERE I WAS BORN. IT’S WHERE I WILL DIE. IT’S MY HOME. IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, AND WILL ALWAYS WILL BE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• NY REPS. JON AND TORR — FIRST OPENLY-GAY BLACK MEN CONGRS — CELEBRATE THEIR FIRST PRI MONTH ON CAPOL HILL

‘I LIVED FEAR OF VLENCE AND BULLYG’: REP. TORR ON BEG GAY

Torr on beg gay. Rchie Torr, who reprents South Bronx, is one of the first black members of Congrs to intify as gay. Rchie Torr has won his Hoe race for New York’s 15th Congrsnal District, makg him the first gay Ao Lato person elected to was all but certa to w his ep-blue Hoe district.

"Tonight we ma history, " Torr tweeted Tuday night, llg "the honor of a lifetime to reprent a borough filled wh sential workers who risked their liv so that New York Cy uld live" durg the uld be joed by Mondaire Jon, who's currently ahead his race for New York's 17th Congrsnal District, as the first gay Black members of Congrs.

The out polician has also squared off agast fellow Cy Council member Ruben Diaz Sr., his opponent the, 77, a Pentestal mister, has referred to gay people as “cursed” and voted agast legalizg same-sex marriage 2009 and 2011 as a member of the New York State Senate. Last year, Diaz scribed the New York Cy Council, which has five openly LGBTQ members, as beg "ntrolled by the homosexual muny.

RCHIE TORR BE FIRST GAY AO LATO ELECTED TO CONGRS

”After the ment, Torr worked wh Cy Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who is also gay, to strip Diaz of mtee is the first openly gay elected official om the Bronx and blam Diaz for fosterg a “homophobic culture” the borough. ”A rerd 26 openly gay ndidat for the Hoe and Senate were on the ballot Tuday, acrdg to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, which advot for and tras out elected reprentativ. "Tonight we ma history, " Torr tweeted Tuday night, llg "the honor of a lifetime to reprent a borough filled wh sential workers who risked their liv so that New York Cy uld live" durg the uld be joed by Mondaire Jon, who's currently ahead his race for New York's 17th Congrsnal District, as the first gay Black members of, 32, a Bronx native, is the youngt member of the New York Cy Council, where he has advoted for better public hog and programs to addrs racially ncentrated poverty.

FIRST OPENLY GAY AO-LATO U.S. NGRSMAN: 'NEVER MY WILST DREAMS'

”Mulls sisted his now-leted ment was reference to Torr’ “dangero polici and worldview, ” not his out polician has also squared off agast fellow Cy Council member Ruben Diaz Sr., his opponent the, 77, a Pentestal mister, has referred to gay people as “cursed” and voted agast legalizg same-sex marriage 2009 and 2011 as a member of the New York State Senate. RJ Portal’ shirtls drive, Calv Kle’s Pri llectn, & a gay mpground tour.

BATTLE FOR THE BRONX: QUEER LATX MILLENNIAL FAC RUBéN "GAY SEX IS BTIALY" DíAZ SR.IF COUNCIL MEMBER RCHIE TORR WS, HE'D BEE NEW YORK'S FIRST OPENLY LGBTQ {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY NI LANGAUGT 1, 2019/9:29 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:900PX;WIDTH:1600PX;}LEFT: NOAM GALAI/GETTY IMAG; RIGHT: ANDREW LICHTENSTE/CORBIS VIA GETTY IMAG BY NI LANGAUGT 1, 2019 / 9:29 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"BATTLE FOR THE BRONX: QUEER LATX MILLENNIAL FAC RUBéN \"GAY SEX IS BTIALY\" DíAZ SR.","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2019-08-01T13:29:05.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2019-08-01T13:29:05.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"NI LANG","KEYWORDS":"ELECTN","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}PICTURED ABOVE: RCHIE TORR (L) AND RUBéN DíAZ SR. (R).{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}RCHIE TORR HAS BEEN TAKG ON DONALD TMP HIS WHOLE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS A YOUNG BOY, TORR AND HIS FAY LIVED ACROSS THE STREET OM THE TMP GOLF LKS AT FERRY POT THE EAST BRONX, WHICH ST NEW YORK CY AN TIMATED $125 LN TO BUILD. THROGGS NECK HO, THE PUBLIC HOG PROJECT HE LIVED WH HIS MOTHER, SISTER, AND TW BROTHER, ULDN’T HAVE BEEN MORE DIFFERENT. MUCH OF THE CY’S PUBLIC HOG, HE SAYS, IS OVERN WH “MOLD, LEAD, AND VERM,” AND MANY RINTS LACK “RELIABLE HEAT AND HOT WATER THE WTER.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TORR SAYS HIS ADVOCY GREW OUT OF THE REALIZATN THAT HIS BOROUGH WAS A “TALE OF TWO CI.” THERE WAS THE BRONX HE KNEW, WHERE SGLE MOTHERS ARE RAISG THREE KIDS ON MIMUM WAGE, AND THAT OF TMP, WHICH ROBBER BARONS OF HERED WEALTH PROF OFF A SYSTEM SIGNED FOR THEM TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I REMEMBER AT THE TIME THKG TO MYSELF: ‘WHY WOULD THE ERNMENT VT MORE PUBLIC ROURC NSTCTG A GILD, GATED GOLF URSE FOR DONALD TMP THAN THE HOM OF STGGLG NEW YORKERS?” HE TELLS NEWNOWNEXT.SPENCER PLATT/GETTY IMAGNEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20: NEW YORK CY COUNCIL MEMBER RCHIE TORR IS ARRTED WH OTHER ACTIVISTS AT A RALLY MANDG THAT THE TMP ADMISTRATN ABANDON PROPOSALS TO CUT THE HOG AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT'S (HUD) BUDGET ON APRIL 20, 2017 NEW YORK CY. MEMBERS OF THE #NOCUTS COALN, CLUDG AN ALLIANCE OF DOZENS OF GRASSROOTS GROUPS, CIVIC ANIZATNS, FAH LEARS, AND LABOR UNNS GATHERED AT FERAL PLAZA TO PROTT THE PROPOSED CUTS. AROUND A DOZEN PROTTERS BRIEFLY BLOCKED TRAFFIC AN ACT OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE BEFORE BEG ARRTED. (PHOTO BY SPENCER PLATT/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}COUNCIL MEMBER RCHIE TORR IS ARRTED AT A TMP PROTT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TORR CID TO DITE HIS LIFE BY WORKG TO IMPROVE THE LIV OF FELLOW RINTS OF THE BRONX WHO HAD BEEN LEFT BEHD BY THOSE POWER. HE BEME A HOG ANIZER AND THEN A NDIDATE FOR THE NEW YORK CY COUNCIL AT 24, THE YOUNGT NYC UNCIL MEMBER HISTORY. DPE HAVG NEVER HELD PUBLIC OFFICE, TORR BTED A CROWD FIELD WHICH CLUD THE MUNY UNCIL PRINT FOR THE 46TH PRECCT AND THE CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE OUTGOG UNCIL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}HIS EXPERIENCE GROWG UP ONE OF NEW YORK’S POORT NEIGHBORHOODS WILL AGA PROPEL THE 31-YEAR-OLD TO THE HEATED RACE FOR THE 15TH U.S. CONGRSNAL DISTRICT, WHERE THE SPECTER OF THE MANR--CHIEF LOOMS LARGE ONCE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BEE THE 15TH DISTRICT IS AMONG THE MOST SOLIDLY DEMOCRATIC THE UNTRY, THE OUTE IS LIKELY TO BE CID NEXT YEAR’S PRIMARI. ALTHOUGH THE SEVEN-PERSON RACE ALREADY CLUS A VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATNAL COMMTEE AND A FORMER NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLYMAN, MANY SAY THE EARLY ONT-NNER IS FELLOW UNCIL MEMBER RUBéN DíAZ SR. A 76-YEAR-OLD PENTESTAL MISTER, DíAZ IS A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL FAI BRONX POLICS. HIS SON IS THE BOROUGH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IF TORR’ CHILDHOOD WAS A STUDY NTRASTS, THE RACE FOR NEW YORK’S 15TH IS SHAPG UP TO REPEAT HISTORY. WHILE TORR SCRIB HIMSELF AS A “LENNIAL PROGRSIVE,” HE LLS HIS OPPONENT A “TMP REPUBLIN MASQUERADG AS A DEMOCRAT.” DíAZ MPAIGNED WH SEN. TED CZ THE BRONX DURG HIS 2016 PRINTIAL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;} .TWTER-TWEET-RENRED, {M-WIDTH:65%;WIDTH:TO !IMPORTANT;} {WIDTH:100%;} {MARG-LEFT:TO !IMPORTANT;MARG-RIGHT:TO !IMPORTANT;} IMG{MAX-WIDTH:100%;WIDTH:100%;} > IAME{BORR:NONE;MAX-WIDTH:100%;} > *{MAX-WIDTH:NONE !IMPORTANT;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHAT’S MORE, DíAZ HAS A BRAZENLY ANTI-LGBTQ RERD. HE SERVED FOR 15 YEARS THE NEW YORK SENATE, WHERE HE WAS THE ONLY MEMBER OF HIS PARTY TO VOTE AGAST MARRIAGE EQUALY. HE HAS ALSO PARED HOMOSEXUALY TO “HAVG SEX WH ANIMALS,” OPPOSED THE 1994 GAY GAM NEW YORK BEE ATHLET “WOULD LIKELY BE FECTED WH AIDS,” AND CLAIMED THE NEW YORK CY COUNCIL IS “NTROLLED BY THE HOMOSEXUAL MUNY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THOSE MENTS PERSONALLY IMPACTED TORR NOT JT BEE HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK CY COUNCIL BUT BEE HE IS A GAY MAN. ALTHOUGH THERE ARE SEVERAL OPENLY LGBTQ MEMBERS OF THE UNCIL, HE IS THE FIRST TO REPRENT THE BRONX. TORR REMAS THE ONLY OUT ELECTED OFFICIAL NEW YORK’S SEND-LARGT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TORR BELIEV THE RACE IS A “STGGLE FOR THE SOUL” OF HIS DISTRICT. IF ELECTED, HE WOULD BE THE FIRST LGBTQ LATX PERSON ELECTED TO CONGRS AND THE FIRST LGBTQ NDIDATE—OF ANY ETHNICY—TO BE ELECTED OM NEW YORK. WHILE HE’S GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE BLAZE ANOTHER TRAIL FOR REPRENTATN, TORR BELIEV ’S “IRONIC AND TRAGIC THAT THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE LGBTQ MOVEMENT HAS NEVER HAD LGBTQ REPRENTATN CONGRS.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“THE RACE FOR CONGRS IS A CHOICE BETWEEN MAKG HISTORY AND TURNG THE CLOCK BACK,” HE SAYS. “IT’S A CHOICE BETWEEN A PROGRSIVE NEW GUARD AND A REACTNARY OLD GUARD. IT HAS THE FEEL OF A GENERAL ELECTN.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALTHOUGH TORR SAYS “NAME REGNN N TAKE YOU FAR” NEW YORK POLICS, THE SELF-SCRIBED “UNRDOG” IS QUICKLY EMERGG AS A MAJOR THREAT THE RACE. HE HAS OUTRAISED DíAZ BY A 6-TO-1 MARG AND EARNED THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE EQUALY PAC. THE FLUENTIAL GROUP, WHICH REPRENTS THE FUNDRAISG ARM OF THE LGBTQ CONGRSNAL CC, IS LIMED TO DONATG $5,000 TO NDIDAT; HOWEVER, THE PAC IS PERMTED TO FUNNEL ADDNAL FUNDS THROUGH ASSOCIATED PACS.BUDD WILLIAMS/NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE VIA GETTY IMAGUNITED STATES - AUGUST 23: CY COUNCILMAN RUBEN DIAZ SR. (D- BRONX) GETS SUPPORT OM DEMOCRATS HIS BID TO BE STATE SENATOR OM THE BRONX ON THE STEPS OF THE BRONX SUPREME COURT BUILDG. (PHOTO BY BUDD WILLIAMS/NY DAILY NEWS ARCHIVE VIA GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CY COUNCILMAN RUBéN DíAZ {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BUT TORR PLANS TO FIGHT S OF ENTRENCHED POLICS THE OLD FASHNED WAY. HE SAYS ONE OF THE KEY REASONS HE WON NOVEMBER 2012 IS THAT HE “KNOCKED ON THOANDS OF DOORS” THE BRONX. MANY OF THE PEOPLE HE SPOKE TO SAID THAT ALL THEIR YEARS OF LIVG THE BOROUGH, THEY’D NEVER BEEN VISED BY A NDIDATE FOR PUBLIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ALTHOUGH HE HAD BEEN OUT SCE HIS SOPHOMORE YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL WHEN HE ME OUT DURG A SCHOOLWI FOM ON MARRIAGE EQUALY, TORR HAD TO MAKE A CISN DURG THAT DOOR-KNOCKG EFFORT: IF THE SUBJECT OF HIS SEXUAL ORIENTATN ME UP, WOULD HE ADDRS ? CAMPAIGNG AS A GAY MAN THE BRONX WAS A MAJOR RISK. ALTHOUGH THE BOROUGH VOTED 97% FOR BARACK OBAMA THE 2012 PRINTIAL ELECTN, ’S AMONG THE MORE SOCIALLY NSERVATIVE DISTRICTS THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ULTIMATELY, TORR CHOSE TO BE HONT. HE BELIEV THAT MEETG VOTERS FACE-TO-FACE GAVE THEM THE OPPORTUNY TO SEE HIM NOT JT AS AN LGBTQ NDIDATE, BUT STEAD AS “RCHIE, THE FIGHTER FOR THE BRONX.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“WHAT IS BETIFUL ABOUT A LOL MPAIGN IS YOU N GO TO PEOPLE'S HOM AND GIVE THEM A WDOW TO WHO YOU ARE,” HE SAYS. “PREJUDICE THRIV ON LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, AND PEOPLE WHO HAD PREJUDIC WERE ABLE TO OVERE THEM AND SUPPORT A NDIDACY LIKE ME. WHEN THE VOTERS ME TO KNOW WHO I WAS, THEY WERE PELLED TO VOTE FOR ME.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TORR IS NFINT VOTERS WILL MAKE THE SAME CHOICE NEXT JUNE, WHEN BRONX RINTS ST THEIR PRIMARY BALLOTS. IN HIS TWO TERMS ON THE NEW YORK CY COUNCIL, HE SAYS HE’S BEEN ABLE TO “LEVERAGE THE POWER OF THE BULLY PULP TO FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STGGLG THE MOST.” IN 2013, TORR HELD THE FIRST CY UNCIL HEARG A PUBLIC HOG VELOPMENT TO DISCS THE LACK OF FEMA FUNDG DISBURSED TO RINTS WHOSE RINC WERE STROYED BY SUPERSTORM SANDY.NOAM GALAI/GETTY IMAGNEW YORK, NY - MARCH 21: RCHIE TORR ATTENDS THE 2016 GMHC SPRG GALA DNER AT CIPRIANI 42ND STREET ON MARCH 21, 2016 NEW YORK CY. (PHOTO BY NOAM GALAI/GETTY IMAG){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DURG THOSE HEARGS, TORR LEARNED HOW MUCH HADN’T CHANGED SCE THE DAYS WHEN HE LOOKED ON AT TMP’S GILD GAT OM HIS BEDROOM WDOW. AN ELRLY WOMAN TTIFIED THAT HER APARTMENT WAS SO LD DURG THE WTER THAT SHE LEFT HER OVEN ON THROUGHOUT THE DAY, RISKG ATH OM RBON MONOXI {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE TTIMONI OF NEW YORKERS ON THE MARGS PROVED EFFECTIVE. THE HEARG LED TO A $3 BILLN VTMENT PUBLIC HOG OM FEMA, WHICH TORR CLAIMS IS “THE LARGT THE HISTORY OF NEW YORK CY.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}OVER THE NEXT YEAR, TORR HOP TO NVEY TO NSTUENTS THAT HE WILL KEEP FIGHTG FOR THEM CONGRS, WHICH IS WHERE HE BELIEV HE N MAKE THE GREATT IMPACT. AS AN ADVOTE FOR AFFORDABLE HOG ON THE CY UNCIL FOR SIX YEARS, HE KNOWS THAT UNCIL MEMBERS ARE LIMED HOW MUCH THEY N DO. NEARLY EVERY SGLE DOLLAR DISTRIBUTED TO PUBLIC HOG OM FERAL FUNDG, WHETHER ’S FEMA RELIEF, LOW-E TAX CREDS, OR THE SECTN 8 {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TORR SAYS HIS PCH TO VOTERS IS THE SAME ONE HE’S BEEN PROVG TO THEM FOR SIX YEARS: “I’M ONE OF YOU, AND I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“I N TELL THEM, ‘I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU OM A PLACE OF LIVED EXPERIENCE,’” HE SAYS. “MY STORY IS THE STORY OF THE BRONX. IT’S A STORY OF STGGLE, BUT ’S ALSO A STORY OF OVERG. THE BRONX IS WHERE I WAS BORN. IT’S WHERE I WILL DIE. IT’S MY HOME. IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, AND WILL ALWAYS WILL BE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

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