Deborah Glick Reflects on 36 Years in the New York State Assembly

After 36 years in the New York State Assembly, Deborah Glick is stepping away from public office. First elected in 1990, Glick became the first openly LGBTQ member of the New York State Legislature and went on to play a key role in some of New York's most consequential fights over civil rights, reproductive freedom, environmental protection, tenant rights, and public health. In this episode of Kaatscast, recorded at her Catskills home, Glick reflects on a career that spanned six governors, dramatic shifts in Albany, and decades of social and political change. She discusses everything from coming out publicly in 1973, to helping secure statewide protections for LGBTQ New Yorkers, to the compromises and negotiations behind landmark legislation. We also talk about the importance of state government, the growing influence of money and lobbying in politics, efforts to protect horseshoe crabs and pollinators, and why she believes ordinary citizens still have more power than they realize to influence public policy. In this episode: Becoming the first openly LGBTQ member of the New York State Legislature The fight for SONDA, GENDA, hospital visitation rights, and a ban on conversion therapy Codifying Roe v. Wade protections in New York before the Supreme Court reversal How compromise shapes legislation Protecting horseshoe crabs, pollinators, and New York's ecosystems The stalled Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act Why state government may affect your daily life more than Washington does What comes next after a lifetime in public service Links & Resources Learn more about the New York State Assembly: https://nyassembly.gov Deborah Glick's legislative record: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Deborah-J-Glick Deb's public "coming out," 1973, in: New York Illustrated Kaatscast: https://kaatscast.com