Declare June Gay Pride Month

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.