Dear New Yorker,
What a terrific way to begin Pride Month!
Yesterday, the Federal Appeals Court declared what we've always known to be true: that the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is an unconstitutional assault on our civil liberties.
I'm pleased that we're one step closer to overturning harmful federal legislation that denies same-sex couples the right to wed, depriving them of the security and benefits of marriage.
With each passing day, and with the support of President Obama, we come that much closer to making marriage equality a reality for everyone across the nation.
We look forward to celebrating this historic decision at our NYC Council LGBT Pride Celebration on June 12th . Additional details listed below:
Guest Emcee:
Whoopi Goldberg
Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Tony Award Winner & Co-Host of The View
Special Performance by:
The Cast of "Sister Act"
Honoring:
Dee Rees
Writer and Director of "Pariah," a film about a
Hermes Mallea and Carey Maloney
Co-Chairs, LGBT Initiative at the
&
We are recognizing the advocacy and accomplishments of the
Members of the NYPD LGBT Advisory Panel
Tuesday, June 12th
5:30 pm
Please arrive early. Doors open at 4:45 pm.
*** The Great Hall at Cooper Union ***
Space is limited! To RSVP, go to http://www.council.nyc.gov/events or call 212-442-1649 .
Also, I hope you can join us at the parades in Staten Island and
Saturday, June 2, 2012
12 pm
Step off:
RSVP: March with the NYC Council
Sunday, June 3, 2012
12 pm
Step off:
RSVP: March with Speaker Quinn and the NYC Council
Finally, I'm once again happy to announce that we're launching a book drive to collect books that can be used in the NYC public school system to help heighten awareness and promote understanding for children and youth on LGBT issues. Current access to these books in our city's public schools is limited.
You can help by bringing a copy of one of the titles listed below to our Council Pride Celebration on June 12th:
Picture Books
And Tango Makes Three - Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
King and King - Linda De Haan and Stern Nijland
Young Adult
The Vast Fields of Ordinary - Nick Burd
Izzy Willy Nilly by Cynthia Voigt
Funny Boy by Shyam Selvadurai
Blue Boy by Rakesh Satyal
Annie on my mind - Nancy Garden
Boy Meets Boy - David Levithan
Ash, Huntress - Malinda Lo
God loves hair - Vivek Shraya
The God Box - Alex Sanchez
The Sistahood on the Mic - E-fierce
***You can also bring copies to one of the drop-off box locations listed below:
Telephone: 718-292-4368
Telephone: 347-889-7719
The Lesbian, Gay,
Telephone: 212-620-7310
Office of Council Member Danny Dromm
District Office
Telephone: 718-803-6373
Office of Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer
District Office
Telephone: 718-383-9566
The
Telephone: 718-808-1360
If you bring books that aren't on the list, we'll gladly donate them to local libraries around the city. The important thing is to collect books with positive, anti-discriminatory messages about LGBT issues for our children and youth!
For more information about our Council Pride celebration and LGBT book drive, please log on to http://council.nyc.gov/LGBT .
Thanks so much for allowing me to share this wonderful news with you. I'll be in touch again soon with additional news and updates. Happy Pride!!!!
Best,
Chris Quinn
Speaker
NYC Council