Rally In Queens Against Transgender Hate Crimes

Yesterday, I participated in a protest rally in support of two transgendered women, Leslie Mora and Carmella Etenne, who were brutally attacked during the past month in the borough of Queens. The rally, organized by local LGBT leader Brendan Fay, drew other LGBT leaders such as Melissa Sklar, openly gay City Council candidate Daniel Dromm, plus City Councilman and Public Advocate candidate Eric Gioia. All voiced their ongoing support for an end to violence against transgenders, gays, and lesbians. Other important speakers inclided FIERCE founder and transwoman Julienne "June" Brown and representatives from Make The Road, a Bushwick LGBT-rights organization.



Thanks to DJ Baker, here are videos of some of the Rally speakers, and their important message to STOP THE HATE, NOW!


Julienne Brown speaks:



Make The Road:



I interviewed Julienne "June" Brown for The Rainbow Collective






Stay tuned. There will be more on this developing story later today. Thanks to all who came out to help end the senseless violence against our LGBT community.

Marching, Loving, Playing At Queens Pride!

A Very Special Day!

I marched in yesterday's Queens Gay Pride Parade with the Hon. Christine C. Quinn (D-Chelsea), Speaker of the New York City Council, and a tireless champion of LGBT rights. Speaker Quinn is the first openly gay Speaker of the City Council, and she led the City Council contingent in the Parade PROUDLY, with great energy and enthusiasm. It was a privilege to march with the Speaker. Her staff and my fellow marchers were friendly, polite, and full of PRIDE!

These three sweethearts pleased all with their lovely regalia!

DJ Baker, host of http://www.qnation.fm/ Da Doo Dirty Show, with Speaker Quinn

Da Doo Dirty Show co-host DJ Swan and Rashawn Chisholm with Speaker Quinn. The Speaker got a rousing reception from the crowd along 37th Avenue.

Me and DJ Swan with London, whose eye-catching outfit made all the people stand up and NOTICE! It was fierce!

This is my friend, Maurice Runea, host of the Maurice Runea Show on The Rainbow Collective (http://www.therainbowcollective.com/) looking fab and ready to party!

Nothing makes a splash like those feathers and glitz!

Up against the wall, it's Queens Pride!

Always hot actor Manny Torres, posing as only he can!

Pink feathers and sunshine...irresistible!

This year's Queens Pride, organized by City Council candidate Daniel Dromm, was packed with throngs of people from all over NYC. a central theme this year was the pending Gay Marriage Bill, which has yet to be voted on by the New York State Senate. There were plenty of petitions circulating, urging our Senators to vote for the passage of this historic legislation. It was great to see the LGBT community turn out in such huge nimbers to enjoy the festivities and declare their PRIDE! There were stage performances, all kinds of vendors at the Pride Festival, delicious food, and, of course, all the fantastic people who comprise the LGBT Rainbow!

Queens Pride

This Sunday, I'll be marching with NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn in the Queens Pride Parade down 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights! The parade is part of Queens Pride 2009 and this year, it is of particular importance. The gay marriage bill is pending in New York State, and there are only a few days left for the NY State Senate to vote on its passage. Governor Patterson had said he will sign gay marriage into law if it passes the state Legislature. So come on out, and by our numbers, let's declare our support for this bill, and our Pride in ourselves! The Parade and Pride Festival begin at noon. See you there!