FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 30, 2019

Speaker Heastie Statement Celebrating NYC Pride and Stonewall 50


Today, people will come from all over to celebrate Pride here in New York City, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that marked the start of the gay rights movement. As we do, we honor the memory and pay tribute to the activists that fought for the LGBTQ community and especially LGBTQ youth, like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Their work inspires us to continue the fight against racism, prejudice, homophobia and transphobia in the U.S. and around the world.

The Assembly Majority is committed to supporting and protecting the rights of LGBTQ New Yorkers. In 2011 we passed Marriage Equality. Just this year, we were finally able see the Gender Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) signed into law, protecting transgender and gender nonconforming individuals from discrimination. We took the "gay panic" defense out of our law books, and put a stop to conversion therapy for minors.

In the 50 years since the Stonewall riots, we have come a long way, but we know we still have work to do. At the same time, the federal administration continues to attack LGBTQ rights - especially those of transgender individuals. The Assembly Majority will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQ New Yorkers and fight for justice and equality.