Adams Under Fire For 'Homophobic Mayoral Appointments': Council

NEW YORK, NY — A City Council caucus has called on Mayor Eric Adams to rescind two recent appointment to his administration — a pastor who rallied against gay marriage and a local politician who praised a law that criminalized homosexuality.

"The man is a bigot," the LGBTQ caucus said of former City Council member Fernando Cabrera in a joint statement issued Monday. "His appointment to a taxpayer-funded position is an affront to us as individuals and as a caucus, and would be an insult to LGBTQ+ New Yorkers."

The caucus also challenged the appointment to the mayor's immigrant affairs office of Brooklyn pastor Erick Salgado, who marched with state Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. against marriage equality in 2011.

Adams initially considered Cabrera to lead his Office of Community Mental Health but opted instead to create a cabinet post as a senior faith adviser after backlash, according to reports.

The City Council Caucus pointed to Cabrera as the "most egregious" appointment, citing a video statement made in Uganda in 2014 during which he praised law that imposed life sentences for homosexuality.

"Gay marriage is not accepted in this country," Cabrera said of Uganda. "The Christians here took the opportunity to take their rightful place."

Cabrera later issued an apology on his Facebook page contending he had been unaware of the specifics of Uganda's policies.

"Unquestionably, being LGBTQ+ should never be criminalized in any way, anywhere in the world," Cabrera said.

Salgado was endorsed by the National Organization for Marriage, an anti-gay marriage nonprofit group known for its attempt to drive “a wedge between gays and blacks” during the 2012 presidential election, when he ran for mayor in 2013.

"NOM is proud to endorse a candidate who has the courage to stand up for conservative principles and join us in our support of traditional marriage," NOM President Brian Brown said in the 2013 statement.

Salgado claims his views have "evolved as society has evolved," according to a statement sent out by the mayor's office.

"As MOIA Assistant Commissioner, my mission will be to lift up immigrant communities across our city, including LGBTQ+ immigrants, who often face barriers to accessing needed services," Salgado said.

But City Council argued Salgado and Cabrera's former ties should disqualify them from assuming positions in Adams' administration which they argue could easily be otherwise filled.

“Our democratic government should represent the people, and its officers should be individuals on whom all New Yorkers can rely," the seven-member caucus said in its statement. "Our city is home to plenty of qualified potential candidates for these roles."

The City Council statement adds to a growing number of activists and elected officials who have condemned Adams' appointment of Salgado, Cabrera and a third pastor, Gilford Monrose, who is leading the mayor's new faith-based office.

Monrose has called homosexuality a “lifestyle I don’t agree with” and attacked marriage equality and LGBTQ adoption, according to Gay City News.

When asked about the LGBTQ Caucus' statement Tuesday, City Hall pointed to the statements made by Salgado and Cabrera and to Adams' past support of the gay community, including a vote for marriage equality in the state senate and funding for the Brooklyn Community Pride Center as borough president.

"AI appreciate the community concerns that have been expressed about recent appointments, and I believe that our team will show through our actions and deeds that we are committed to uplifting all New Yorkers, regardless of who they love or how they identify,” Adams said in a statement.