Transgender Rights Rally in Nassau County, NY

On May 31st, I attended a rally for Transgender Rights held in Mineola, Nassau County, NY. The event was hosted by Gender Equality NY (GENY), an organisation dedicated to advocacy, education and upliftment of Transgender, Gender Non-conforming and Intersex individuals. Numerous local LGBTQ ran and supportive organizations supported the rally as well (see poster) and contributed to what was an awesome turnout. I was invited to speak at the rally by a friend who works with GENY, a former alumni of FSC and member of Farmingdale Pride. This coming school year will be my last year as the president of Farmingdale Pride Club and based on my work and dedication to the community, I was given the privilege to speak amongst other fantastic speakers. It was amazing hearing from local, statewide and country wide organizations like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Action Fund, the Long Island Progressive Coalition and local county legislators.

The message of my speech was to acknowledge the importance of action and solidarity when fighting for our rights. To the greater LGBTQ+ community: this is not the time to be passive. We are only as strong as the most vulnerable among us. If we say “Pride is for everyone,” then we must mean it. When trans people are under attack, the entire queer community is at risk. The same systems that try to suppress one of us will, and always have, come for all of us. Our liberation is tied together. When we lift up trans voices, when we loudly protect trans youth, when we openly challenge transphobia—in our homes, in our schools, in our movements- we are showing them and the world that trans people belong in our homes, schools and movements.

Now that I've had the time and space to think about what I want to do after I complete my undergrad education, I will be more active supporting causes that are important to me and those I care about.

Wishing everyone a Happy Pride! Stay safe out there!

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