Local youth participant selected as Queens Pride Parade Grand Marshal

Queens, NY (May 15, 2018) – Eli Betts, age 20, has been selected as a Grand Marshal of this year’s Queens Pride Parade in recognition of his leadership in Generation Q, a Forest Hills-based LGBTQ youth program operated by Queens Community House.  Betts will don the Grand Marshal sash alongside Borough President Melinda Katz and the nonprofit Hetrick-Martin Institute.

Queens Pride Chair Tina Arniotis is thrilled to have a young adult lead the parade. “Today’s LGBTQ youth are the ones who will carry the torch as we continue our journey for equality and justice for the community,” she said.
 
Generation Q offers a variety of health, wellness and support services for LGBTQ youth ages 13 to 21, including support groups, counseling, social events,  workshops, and advocacy/social justice training. Betts has attended the program since he was 13 years old, and now spends much of his free time doing outreach for new members. “When I meet a young person I feel could benefit from Gen Q, I invite them to attend with me," says Betts. "I’ve brought many participants to Gen Q over the years.”
 
The Queens Pride Parade will be held this year on Sunday June 3 on 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, with a noon kick-off.  The parade culminates in a festival located at 37th Avenue and 75th Street. Entertainment, food and resource tables will be available from 1:30pm to 6:00pm.
 
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About Queens Community House: Founded in 1975, Queens Community House, is a multi-site nonprofit organization that offers a wide network of comprehensive services to individuals, families, and communities throughout Queens. From 29 sites in 14 diverse neighborhoods, QCH helps thousands of Queens residents to thrive in school, make healthy life choices, succeed in educating themselves, become engaged citizens, stabilize their housing situations, and make the most of their senior years.  Learn more at www.qchnyc.org.
 
Contact:
Jennifer Weil
Queens Community House
Communications Coordinator
jweil@qchnyc.org
Office: (718) 592-5757 Ext. 249
www.qchnyc.org / Social: @qchnyc
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