Senate Resolution No. 2576

BY: Senator JACOBS

RECOGNIZING June 2017, as Gay Pride Month

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud those cultural events within the State of New York which serve
to celebrate diversity, and in doing so, help to enfranchise minority
populations within the larger community of humanity; and

WHEREAS, Members of this Legislative Body support the rights,
freedoms, and equality of those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender and queer (LGBTQ); and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud commend the Richard
C. Failla LGBTQ Commission of the New York State Courts and the New
York State Judicial Commission on Women in the Courts 8th Judicial
District, Gender and Racial Fairness Committee upon the occasion of
hosting its Lunch and Learn in recognition of June 2017 as Gay Pride
Month on Thursday, June 15, 2017, at the Erie County Surrogate Courtroom
in Buffalo, New York; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion will allow individuals to be
educated on the landmark decision of the New York Court of Appeals in
the case of Brooke S. B. v. Elizabeth C.C. which determined the rights
of non-biological and same sex parents in custody cases through Brooke
Barone, Plaintiff, and her Attorney, Margaret Canby, Esq.; and

WHEREAS, Created to go beyond the courts' adjudicative role, the
Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission works in an administrative capacity
to foster the progress of LGBTQ persons in the courts and broader
community; and

WHEREAS, The Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission acts as a forceful
advocate for LGBTQ issues and LGBTQ members of the court community,
providing a bridge between the Judiciary's leadership and LGBTQ
individuals in the courts and legal profession; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Executive Director Marc
Levine, the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission works with the Chief
Judge, Chief Administrative Judge and other court officials to promote
equal participation in and access to the courts and legal profession by
all persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender
expression; and

WHEREAS, These include initiatives to enhance judicial and workforce
diversity to efforts to help ensure the issues facing LGBTQ litigants
are fairly addressed by the courts; and

WHEREAS, The Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission collaborates with
LGBTQ advocacy organizations, bar associations and community groups to
raise awareness about LGBTQ issues and to foster a more equitable,
supportive environment for LGBTQ members within the justice system,
legal profession and greater community; and

WHEREAS, As a fully institutionalized organization within the court
system, the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission serves to advance the
courts' outreach and advocacy efforts on behalf of the LGBTQ community
including its topmost priorities to enhance judicial diversity and to
bring more LGBTQ into its non-judicial workforce; and

WHEREAS, Our society is greatly benefited by the purposeful efforts
of individuals who unite for the cause of improving the quality of life
for others, and who proactively work toward the goal of dignity for all;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize June 2017, as Gay Pride Month; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Marc Levine, Executive Director, The Richard C. Failla
LGBTQ Commission.