LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Empire
State Pride Agenda Foundation

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud organizations and institutions within the State of New York
which work towards equality and justice for those who have historically
faced discrimination and mistreatment; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 25th Anniversary of the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation;
and
WHEREAS, New York's statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) civil rights and advocacy organization, the mission of the Empire
State Pride Agenda Foundation is to win equality and justice for LGBT
New Yorkers and their families; and
WHEREAS, Through this vital organization's education, organizing and
advocacy programs, the members work toward creating a broadly diverse
alliance of LGBT people and allies in government, communities of faith,
labor, all sectors of the workforce and the intersection of all social
justice movements to achieve equality for LGBT New Yorkers and the
broader goals of social, racial, gender and economic justice; and
WHEREAS, The Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation has played an
instrumental role in the LGBT civil rights movement, helping to achieve
enormous reforms such as the codification of marriage equality into law
in 2011, the passage of the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act
(SONDA) in 2002, the approval of a 30% rent cap for lower income New
Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS, transgender-inclusive benefits for Roches-
ter city employees, the removal of burdensome and unnecessary barriers
transgender New Yorkers faced in correcting gender markers on identity
documents, and the passage of transgender-inclusive non-discrimination
ordinances by several cities and counties across the state; and
WHEREAS, The Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation continues to tire-
lessly advocate for the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act
(GENDA), which would prohibit discrimination against transgender New
Yorkers based on gender identity and expression, and legislation which
would ban the dangerous practice of conversion therapy on all LGBT
minors by licensed mental health professionals; and
WHEREAS, Through their diligent efforts and with the support and
participation of committed people all across New York, the Empire State
Pride Agenda Foundation has won countless victories on the state and
local levels, providing much needed and deserved support to LGBT fami-
lies and relationships; and
WHEREAS, Through the coordination of the New York State Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and Transgender Health and Human Services Network, a coalition
of over 50 local health and human service organizations serving the LGBT
population throughout New York State, the Empire State Pride Agenda
Foundation has been instrumental in creating a united voice for the
health and well-being needs of millions of LGBT New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Despite recent, unprecedented visibility of the LGBT communi-
ty, greater understanding of the unique issues facing the LGBT communi-
ty, especially the transgender community, has lagged behind; through its
education, outreach, and training efforts across the state, the Empire
State Pride Agenda Foundation has contributed to broader awareness and
understanding of these issues and has contributed to important policy
solutions that have benefitted the state as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing that the LGBT community still lacks many rights
and protections which most New Yorkers take for granted, the Empire

State Pride Agenda Foundation continues to resolutely pursue justice and
reform for LGBT New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Our society benefits greatly from the purposeful efforts of
individuals who unite to improve the quality of life of others, advance
social justice, and work toward dignity and respect for all New Yorkers;
now, therefore be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Empire State Pride Agenda Foun-
dation; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation.