Photo by Dave Warner – Left to right, Erynn Lowery, Ella Rogers, Dylan Harrer, William Rauch, Delores Casuso (Director, Office of Inter-Governmental Affairs, New York State Department of Labor), and Laura Powers, show off the proclamation delivered by Ms. Casuso.

The Little Falls Pride event was held on Saturday for the second year in a row and included everything from a proclamation to a drag show.

The proclamation from Friday read:

“Whereas, New York State is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, ignited at the Stonewall Inn in New York City by a small but determined group of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, during the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, which inspired millions around the world to seek fairness, justice, and equal rights for LGBTQ+ communities; we commemorate this watershed moment and the progress achieved in the 53 years since Stonewall, as our state continues its leadership in the pursuit of individual rights and freedoms with intentionality towards equity for the LGBTQ+ community, especially at the intersections of marginalization; and

Whereas, this month, New York State is honored to unveil the newly renovated Marsha P. Johnson State Park, appropriately named for a proud transgender woman of color, who, alongside Sylvia Rivera and other brave activists, was a pioneer of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement and a prominent figure in the Stonewall Uprising; as an outspoken champion of LGBTQ+ rights and one of the first activists to call for the prioritized development of medical treatments for persons with HIV /AIDS in its early years, Marsha P. Johnson turned her hardships and struggles with mental illness into action, and her legacy as a hero and example of courage continues to inspire us today; and

Whereas, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) in New York State, landmark legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit, and civil rights, as set forth in the state’s Human Rights Law, Civil Rights Law, and Education Law; and

Whereas, New York State respects and supports the rights of TGNCNB people to live their lives authentically, free from discrimination, harassment, and violence; measures such as the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, banning the gay and trans panic defense, enacting the Gender Neutral Bathroom law, repealing the Walking While Trans Ban, enacting and expanding the Gender Recognition Act, and enacting the START Act reaffirm our state’s commitment to upholding the freedom of New Yorkers of all gender identities or expressions; and

Whereas, New Yorkers observe Pride Month with cultural and educational events marking major advancements in equal rights, freedom, and justice for LGBTQ communities such as: doubling critical funding for services, banning the fraudulent practice of conversion therapy, legalizing gestational surrogacy, removing other barriers to allow LGBTQ+ and TGNCNB people to build families, and protecting those who are victims of increased incidents of hate, bias, and violence – especially trans women of color; today New York State proudly remains a leader in fighting for full quality for LGBTQ+ and TGNCNB people, committed to fulfilling our vision for a more just and peaceful world for all;

Now, Therefore, I, Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim June 2022 as Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim June 2022 as LGBTO+ PRIDE MONTH in the Empire State.”

After a two-year pandemic hiatus, I LOVE NY, through its I LOVE NY LGBTQ initiative, will be participating in Pride events in communities across New York, including Albany, Buffalo, Fire Island, Harlem, New York City and Rochester, to engage with attendees and introduce them to all the exciting destinations waiting for them throughout the state.

A newly-updated I LOVE NY LGBTQ microsite and a printed I LOVE NY LGBTQ travel guide are available to help visitors identify great things to see and do, both during Pride month and throughout the year. I LOVE NY is also launching an I LOVE NY 2022 Pride guide blog, to support community partners and promote tourism by highlighting Pride celebrations, and other LGBTQ events and attractions across the state.