Monday, June 18, 2018

Ambassadors Competition to Showcase New York's LGBTQ Community Ahead of World Pride 2019


Governor Andrew Cuomo today kicked off New York Pride 2018 by announcing the inaugural New York State LGBTQ Fellowship to serve in the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer to ensure inclusivity and fair representation in state government. 

The inaugural fellowship will be named in recognition of the legacies of Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, and Edie Windsor in recognition of their groundbreaking work in the fight for equal rights. In addition, the Governor announced the 2019 World Pride Ambassadors Competition to highlight the diversity of New York's LGBTQ community prior to the event next year.

"New York is proud to be a national leader in protecting and advancing the rights of the LGBTQ community, and Pride week is an important time to reflect on the fact that our work isn't done," Governor Cuomo said. "With these actions, we are helping to ensure that diversity is embraced and promoted across the state, and that New York will continue to serve as a beacon for all."

"As the birthplace of the LGBTQ rights movement, New York is continuing our tradition of embracing diversity with these exciting initiatives," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "Pride Week is a time to honor the past, celebrate the present, and move forward with determination to protect the rights of our LGBTQ community. New York is proud to launch these new programs named in honor of three trailblazing women who made progress a reality, and helped fulfill the promise of America."

LGBTQ Fellowship 

At the direction of the Governor, the NYS LGBTQ Fellowship is established to support the ongoing efforts in the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer. The LGBTQ Fellow will be awarded every two years to an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to social justice, a track record of working on LGBTQ equality, civil rights and diversity issues, and a strong interest in a career in public service. The Fellow will serve in the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer and will work on continuing to build the state government's leadership as a model employer for New Yorkers of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

The fellowship is named after LGBTQ leaders who have—with their courage, tenacity and perseverance—raised awareness of LGBTQ issues and make a lasting difference in the LGBTQ community.  The inaugural fellowship, which lasts for two years, will be named in recognition of three New York leaders: Edie Windsor for her advocacy and groundbreaking work in successfully challenging the federal defense of marriage act and Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera for their movement leading advocacy on behalf of the transgender community in New York.

Click here for the full announcement. 

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

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