The Empire State Pride Agenda is throwing it’s support behind Andrew Cuomo for governor – despite the fact that he missed the gay rights group’s annual Fall Dinner.

Cuomo made a last minute decision to deliver remarks during the event’s cocktail hour after his GOP rival, Carl Paladino, made controversial remarks warning against the perils of children being “brainwashed” about homosexuality.

Cuomo has since declared that he wants to be “the Governor who makes marriage equality a reality in New York State.”

“The Pride Agenda PAC is proud to endorse Andrew Cuomo for Governor,” said ESPA Exec. Dir. Ross D. Levi via press release.

“As Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo has been a great champion for the LGBT community, working closely with the Pride Agenda to fight transgender discrimination in employment and to defend our state’s policy of fully respecting the legal marriages of same-sex couples performed out of state.  This proven record is bolstered by Andrew Cuomo’s commitment to working as Governor to secure marriage equality, a statewide transgender non-discrimination law and policies, programs and resources to address the health and human service needs of New York’s LGBT communities.  We encourage all New Yorkers who care about LGBT equality and justice to support Andrew Cuomo, and we will be working hard toward his election as Governor.”

Before the brew ha-ha over Paladino’s remarks, the ESPA endorsement was ostensibly up for grabs.

The group has back Republicans in the past – including George Pataki during his 2002 re-election bid.  In December of that year, he signed the Sexual Orientation Non-discrimination Act into law.

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