Empire State Today

Governor Kathy Hochul on June 1 issued a proclamation designating June 2023 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and delivered a message celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in New York State. Additionally, LGBTQ+ progress flags will be raised across the state, state landmarks will be illuminated in the colors of the LGBTQ+ pride flag, and a new exhibit in the State Capitol spotlighting the legacy of New York LGBTQ+ activists will open during Pride Month.

"Pride Month is a time when we celebrate and continue to uplift the rights of the LGBTQ+ community here in New York State," Governor Hochul said. "Every New Yorker, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, deserves to feel safe, heard and valued by their state government. This month and every month after this, the State of New York will stand with and support the LGBTQ+ community."

Governor Hochul also announced that the progress pride flag will be flown at State Parks across New York to mark the start of Pride Month. In addition, the flag will be raised at the State Capitol, Plaza and Governor's Mansion on June 1.

The flag will also be flown at the following State office buildings for the duration of Pride Month:

•    44 Holland Avenue, Albany

•    50 Wolf Road, Albany

•    328 State Street, Schenectady

•    625 Broadway, Albany

•    Alfred E. Smith State Office Building

•    Empire State Plaza

•    Hampton Plaza

•    Harriman Campus

•    New York State Capitol

•    Ten Eyck

•    Binghamton State Office Building

•    Dulles State Office Building

•    Henderson-Smith State Office Building

•    State Preparedness Training Center (Oriskany)

•    Homer Folks Facility

•    Senator John H. Hughes State Office Building

•    Utica State Office Building

•    Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building

•    Eleanor Roosevelt State Office Building

•    Hudson Valley Transportation Management Center

•    Perry B. Duryea State Office Building

•    Executive Mansion

The following State landmarks will be illuminated in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple tonight:

•    One World Trade Center

•    Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge

•    Kosciuszko Bridge

•    The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building

•    State Education Building

•    Alfred E. Smith State Office Building

•    Empire State Plaza

•    State Fairgrounds - Main Gate & Expo Center

•    Niagara Falls

•    Albany International Airport Gateway

•    Lake Placid Olympic Center

•    MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station (**will illuminate pink, white, and light blue)

•    Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal

•    Moynihan Train Hall

Governor Hochul also announced the June 7 opening of "In the Footsteps of Heroes," an exhibition that highlights the LGBTQ+ rights movement in New York from past to present— from forerunners to the future. Alongside the pioneers in this exhibit are examples of on june 1's newest leaders and organizations building on the work of their elders. Whether it be an emerging director changing the face of leadership, a business owner addressing the needs of their community, or an organization made to confront social and healthcare concerns as a result of COVID-19, advocates today strive to create a more equitable New York for the LBGTQ+ community.

In December 2022, Governor Hochul signed a legislative package to address health care disparities in the LGBTQ+ community. By allowing runaway and homeless youth under 18 to make their own health care decisions (legislation A.9604/S.8937) and better equipping nurse and home health aides to work with LGBTQ+ populations (legislation A.1880A/S.2534A), these new laws expanded protections in health care settings for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. The Governor also signed legislation that requires that any insurance policy that provides coverage for prescription drugs includes coverage for the cost of PrEP and PEP — two important tools for preventing the spread of HIV.

Original source can be found here.