On Friday, October 16th, the New York City Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus launched its borough-wide Pride in Policy roundtable series at Destination Tomorrow in the Bronx, bringing together elected officials, community leaders, advocates, and service providers to discuss the needs of LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers and help inform the Caucus’s legislative and policy priorities.
The Bronx roundtable brought together LGBTQIA+ Caucus Co-Chair and Council Member Justin Sanchez, Council Members Kevin C. Riley, Amanda Farías, and Shirley Aldebol; JD Thompson, LGBTQIA+ Liaison from Speaker Julie Menin’s Office; Rev. Pat Martin of the Masculine Identified Lesbians of Color Collective; and Imani Marcano of the CUNY LGBTQIA+ Council.
Building on the Marsha & Sylvia Plan released in June 2023, Pride in Policy aims to establish a comprehensive legislative and policy agenda informed by the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers. The borough-wide roundtable series allows community members to identify points of concern, evaluate proposed policies, and offer recommendations to strengthen the Caucus’ legislative, budgetary, and policy priorities.
“LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers are part of the fabric of every neighborhood, every borough, and every block in our city, and their voices deserve to be heard at City Hall,” said LGBTQIA+ Caucus Co-Chair Justin E. Sanchez, who represents the South Bronx in New York City Council. “As we develop the next iteration of our Pride in Policy Plan, we are bringing our government directly to the communities we serve, listening to their experiences, and empowering them to shape the policies that impact their lives. I am proud to kick off this citywide conversation right here in the Bronx, where we are laying the foundation for a stronger, safer, and more inclusive city for every LGBTQIA+ New Yorker.”
Feedback collected following the roundtable highlighted the importance of ensuring that the Caucus’s Pride in Policy agenda translates into meaningful action and measurable outcomes for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers. Respondents emphasized the need for sustained investments in community-based organizations, greater accountability in advancing policy priorities, and expanded access to essential services like healthcare, housing, and immigration legal assistance.
Building a more inclusive New York City starts with listening to the communities we serve and ensuring their voices help shape our policies,” said Council Member Kevin C. Riley, who represents the Northeast Bronx. “I commend the LGBTQIA+ Caucus for bringing this important conversation to the Bronx and creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue that leads to stronger protections, greater access to resources, and lasting change for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers. As elected officials, we have a responsibility to turn these conversations into meaningful action that ensures every New Yorker feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.”
The Caucus extends its appreciation to Destination Tomorrow for hosting the inaugural Pride in Policy roundtable and its continued commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ communities in the Bronx.
“Destination Tomorrow was proud to host the inaugural Pride in Policy roundtable, creating space for community members to share their experiences, name their needs, and speak directly with those responsible for turning those priorities into action,” said Tabytha Gonzalez, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Destination Tomorrow. “We look forward to working with the Caucus to translate these conversations into meaningful legislation, sustained investment, and greater access to the resources our communities deserve,” said Tabytha Gonzalez, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Destination Tomorrow.”
Following the Bronx roundtable, the Pride in Policy series will continue in Manhattan on October 26 at The NYC LGBT Community Center and Brooklyn on October 29 at the Brooklyn Community Pride Center. Additional roundtables in Queens and Staten Island, along with a virtual citywide roundtable, are scheduled for November.
Feedback collected throughout the series will help inform revisions to the Caucus’s Pride in Policy agenda and guide its ongoing legislative, budgetary, and advocacy efforts to address the needs of LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers across all five boroughs.
About The New York City Council LGBTQIA+ Caucus
The New York City Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus shapes the City’s legislative and budget priorities, ensuring LGBTQIA+ voices are central to decision-making at City Hall. Co-Chaired by Council Members Chi Ossé and Justin Sanchez, the Caucus includes former Co-Chairs Tiffany Cabán and Crystal Hudson, along with Council Members David Carr, Lynn Schulman, and Carl Wilson. Earlier this year, the Caucus appointed Yanery Cruz as its first-ever Executive Director, a historic investment in supporting LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers as communities nationwide face escalating attacks from the Trump Administration.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
