QNS.com: Queens Borough Hall celebrates Pride Month

QNS.com: Queens Borough Hall celebrates Pride Month | June 2024: The LGBTQIA+ community and allies joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards to celebrate Queens’ vibrant and diverse LGBTQIA+ community at the Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall on June 13.   

Emcees of the Pride Month celebration were Deputy Borough President Ebony Young and Jonathan Imperial, senior advisor to the Deputy Borough President and LGBTQIA+ liaison, who compared the festivities to the Oscars but “with more sparkle, more flair and better speeches.”

Gotham Cheer, Hassan, AKA The Bearded Beauty of NYC, David Sincere Dance and DJ Nett, Darylin LaFontaine and New York City’s beloved drum line band, Fogo Azul, entertained the crowd with dazzling performances.

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Several Queens LGBTQIA+ community leaders and organizations, including Roxanne Raquel Cajigas, Jim Burke, Brian Martinez, LGBTQ+ Youth Services at Queens Community House and Love Wins Food Pantry NYC, were honored for their work and activism.

Brian Martinez, owner of Fresco’s Cantina in Astoria and co-founder of Astoria Pride, which also catered the event, was honored for creating a welcoming space for the LGBTQIA+ community in Astoria.

Martinez grew up in the Bronx but traded his Yankees hat for a Mets hat when he moved to Queens. 

“Queens is a truly remarkable place not only for its diversity and food, but also for its inclusion. Since day one, I was welcomed and embraced,” Martinez said. 

LGBTQ+ Youth Services at Queens Community House was honored for providing education, training and outreach services for LGBTQIA+ Youth. Love Wins Food Pantry NYC was honored for combating food insecurity in low-income communities across New York City. 

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