Imagine if a heterosexual office holder said to the press, "Sorry, I cannot confirm my girlfriend's name," or if a straight woman refused to identify her husband, ("I can only say that I have one.") To protect his partner from discrimination at work, Matthew Titone has done just that. So, while 41 states in this country lack protection against discrimination in employment, even in a state that has such a civil rights statute, an elected official feels this law will not to stop his partner's employer from denying him work because he's gay. It tells you that despite Will & Grace, Queer Eye For the Straight Guy, Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships, Second Parent Adoption, Brokeback Mountain, GLAADs many awards, HRCs many press releases... despite all these apparent signs of progress, we still have a long way to go. Here. In New York City. Where gay men can still be assaulted by gangs of young men in the West Village or Chelsea. Where an openly gay elected official hides the name of his partner to shield him from reprecussions. Matthew Titone deserves the full support of LGBT and allied New Yorkers for making this strong statement acknowledging the continued prevalence of homophobia.