NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Mayor Eric Adams is still reportedly considering Fernando Cabrera, an anti-gay and anti-abortion pastor, for a position in his administration despite Adams revoking his assignment to a mental health office after pushback from LGBTQ+ advocates.
Cabrera, who served as a Democratic city council member for the Bronx and is the pastor for New Life Outreach International Church in Kingsbridge Heights, was denied a position as head of the Office of Community Mental Health due to his controversial views.
Jonah Allon, a spokesman for Adams told WINS, "While we do not typically comment on pending appointments, as stated previously, Mr. Cabrera is not under consideration for the critical role of leading the Office of Community Mental Health."
The pastor has been awaiting assignment from Adams in the municipal building across from City Hall, three anonymous sources told Politico."
1010 WINS has reached out to Adams' office for comment.
A clip of Cabrera praising Uganda for anti-gay and anti-aborition policies originally posted on the Hope Alive Freedom Church website in 2014 circulated after the pastor’s appointment to OCMH, leading LGBTQ+ advocates to pressure the mayor’s office to rescind the offer.
Cabrera praises Uganda's anti-gay policies
“Gay marriage is not accepted in this country. Even when the United States of America has put pressure and told Uganda ‘we are not going to fund you anymore unless you allow gay marriage.’” said Cabrera. “Why? Because the Christians have assumed the place of decision making for the nation.”
Cabrera goes on to praise Uganda’s abortion ban and the role of Christianity in their government.
“Abortions are illegal here, things that Christians really stand for,” he said. “Why? Because the Christians here took the opportunity to take their rightful place.”
He also attributed a decline in AIDS infection in Uganda to the country’s anti-gay policies, which previously included the death sentence but was changed to life in prison, for any HIV-positive person who has gay sex.
Uganda’s infamous anti-homosexuality bill also allows for a 10-year prison sentence for those who "promote" or "recognize" homosexuality.
As for his anti-gay and anti-abortion views, City Hall's Allon told WINS, "Mayor Adams has always been a steadfast, unwavering ally of the LGBTQ+ community and been staunchly pro-choice – values he has held throughout his career.”
Cabrera was one of three city councilmembers to abstain in a 45 to 1 vote to punish Ruben Diaz Sr. for homophobic comments against then-speaker Corey Johnson, a gay councilmember.
He also voted against a 2014 bill allowing transgender people to change the gender marker on their birth certificates and is a vocal supporter of Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-gay Christian legal group.
LGBTQ+ advocates are continuing to pressure Adams to drop Cabrera from any position in his administration.
“Our communities need a city government we can trust,” wrote Housing Works, a NYC non-profit that offers services for homeless people with AIDS. “Fernando Cabrera is an anti-choice homophobe. We call on you to condemn bigots, not empower them.”
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