Let’s start with the good news: great strides have been made in New York City and New York State in protecting the rights of LGBTQ residents. Queens City Councilman Daniel Dromm is here to talk about funding initiatives provided by the city, designed to help organizations that serve the LGBTQ community, particularly the Transgender community, which has been shamefully ignored for decades. He’ll also talk about inclusive curriculum programs in the city’s public schools. As a former teacher, he will speak to the importance of making all kids feel like they matter, that they are safe and that they can be themselves. Manhattan State Senator Brad Hoylman will talk about what he sees as his very good half a year, since the 2018 elections changed the State Legislature. For the first time since Marriage Equality, LGBTQ legislation is coming to the floor, and being passed. He’ll focus on the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, which he sponsored. The bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, and adds attacks against the Transgender Community to the Hate Crimes list. And he’ll talk about the outlawing of Conversion Therapy. Legislation is important, but so is symbolism, and the Pride March has become the symbol of freedom for much of the LGBTQ community. James Fallarino talks about the birth of the march, a year after Stonewall, and how it has grown into one of the city’s most popular parades.