MINEOLA – Nassau County Executive Laura Curran last night hosted a Pride flag-raising and dome-lighting to celebrate Pride Month and recognize the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion. County Executive Curran was joined by Nassau County Human Rights Commissioner Ken Heino, Legislators Arnold Drucker and Debra Mulé, representatives from the Pride for Youth, Long Island Pride, and the Nassau County Police Department LGBTQ Society. The Very Rev. Dr. Michael Sniffen, Dean of the Cathedral, Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City Rabbi Randy Sheinberg of Temple Tikvah, Floral Park, and Fr. Matthew Berrios of Church of St Paul the Apostle RC Catholic Church joined the celebration as well. The event was capped off by a special musical performance by the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus.
“Pride is a special month for so many of our residents, and as we mark the 50th anniversary of Stonewall, we have so much to celebrate,” said County Executive Curran. “Today we honor the generations of LGBTQ Americans who came out and spoke out against unjust laws and destructive prejudices. We stand with the LGBTQ community to recognize the progress that has been made and look forward to the future where each and every one our residents has the rights and freedoms they deserve.”
“At Stonewall, members of the LGBT community bravely declared that oppression would no longer stand,” said Legislator Arnold Drucker. “Fifty years later, I'm proud to stand with County Executive Curran and the LGBT community as we reflect on where we've been, what we have accomplished and the work we must still do to achieve true equality for all Nassau County residents."
"Pride Month is an opportunity to not only celebrate LGBTQ identities but to bring awareness to the continued need for LGBTQ rights and visibility,” said Aiden Jay Kaplan, LGBTQ Youth Services Manager, Pride for Youth. “Pride for Youth is proud to have stood with Nassau County as we raise the rainbow flag and light the dome in rainbow colors to make a statement to the community that LGBTQ people live, love and work right here in Nassau."
