New York City Council LGBTQ Pride

I was thrilled to be at NYC Hall with NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the seven openly LGBT elected members of the NYC City Council were a gala that celebrated and honored the LGBTQ community of New York City.  Awards were presented to Jennifer Flynn Walker, a co-founder and longtime leader at Voices of Community Activists & Leaders (VOCAL-NY), Charles Rice-Gonzalez, an author and the co-founder of BAAD!, the Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, Krystal Portalatin, a co-founder of the youth empowerment group FIERCE, Ed Garcia Conde, a blogger who founded Welcome2TheBronx as well as that borough’s first HIV support center, longtime transgender and Democratic Party activist Melissa Sklarz, and the legendary diva Barbara Herr. 

NYC's openly LGBT elected Council members include Rosie Mendez and Corey Johnson from Manhattan, Daniel Dromm and Jimmy Van Bramer from Queens, Ritchie Torres and Jimmy Vacca from The Bronx, and Carlos Menchaca from Brooklyn. Other council members also participated in the festivities. It was so heart-warming to see 5th and 6th grade youth who formed the organization Kids 4 LGBT Rights Now enjoying the celebration. Orlando Cruz, who in 2012 became the first professionally active boxer to come out as Gay, was also there to join in on the fun.  Empress Sugar B. Real and Emperor Tony of ICNY, Cabaret legend Doris Dear of SAG and many others were also enjoying the event held in the City Council Chamber on June 8th. The event was hosted by dear friend Rob B. as "Tina" added fun, glamor and energy to the unforgettable event.