Tom Duane
1955 -

Former State Senator Tom Duane was the first openly LGBTQ member of the New York State Senate and its first openly HIV-positive member. He represented the 29th District from 1999 until 2012 and was a lead sponsor of same-sex marriage legislation in the Senate years before its passage in 2011.
Duane was raised in Queens and earned a degree at Lehigh University. He served on the New York City Council for seven years before his election to the State Senate in 1998, where he fought to protect LGBTQ rights and legislate against hate crimes. Duane also worked toward the passage of legislation regarding HIV testing, sex trafficking, gun control, health care, and civil rights.
Duane did not seek re-election in 2012. He continues his advocacy work for the LGBTQ community and those living with HIV/AIDS.