New York State Department of Health to Celebrate Pride Month At Events Across New York State

Department Staff to March in Capital Pride 2024 Parade and Table Events Across New York State

Pride Celebrates the Voices and Contributions of LGBTQ+ Communities

Department Reaffirms Commitment to Establishing Affirming, Inclusive Health Care for LGTBQ+ Communities

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 31, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health is celebrating the official kickoff to Pride Month this June and will be attending several Pride 2024 activities and celebrations across the state during the month ahead and beyond. In addition to attending these events, there will be several State Department of Health staff marching in Albany's Capital Pride Parade on June 9, and the Department will be represented at the June 12 Pride Night at the Plaza in Albany.

"Pride is a celebration of community, resilience, diversity, and most of all, Pride is a time to reaffirm our commitment to protecting the health and human rights of the individuals who make up our LGBTQ+ communities," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Across the country, discriminatory laws are being passed targeting LGBTQ+ communities and their access to affirming, compassionate health care. New York will continue to be a leader in building a strong foundation of LGBTQ+-affirming health care. I am proud of the work done so far by the Department's Office of LGBTQ Services and I look forward to the Department's participation in Pride events across New York."

Pride Month is a time to celebrate the individuals who form New York's diverse LGBTQ+ communities and to uplift their voices. During the month ahead and beyond, the Department will continue its work to raise awareness for the unique health disparities and critical gaps in care that continue to face LGBTQ+ communities.

The Department will be participating in the following Pride events:

June 2 – Buffalo Pride Parade and Festival

  • State Department of Health AIDS Institute Office of LGBTQ Services; Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology; and Partner Services will be in attendance and will have a table available offering resources.
  • Parade steps off at 11 a.m.
  • Pride Festival begins at 1 p.m.

June 8 – Capital Region BIPOC Pride

  • BIPOC Pride celebrates LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
  • State Department of Health AIDS Institute Office of LGBTQ Services; Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology; and Partner Services will have a table available offering resources.

June 9 – Capital Pride 2024 Parade and Festival

  • State Department of Health staff will march in the Pride Parade.
  • State Department of Health AIDS Institute Office of LGBTQ Services; Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology; and Partner Services will have a table available offering resources.
  • Parade steps off at 11:30 a.m.
  • Pride Festival begins shortly after.

June 12 - Pride Night at the Plaza

  • Event to be held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Kraig Pannell, Director, Office of LGBTQ Services, will deliver remarks.

July 20 – Rochester Pride Festival

  • State Department of Health AIDS Institute Office of LGBTQ Services; Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology; and Partner Services will have a table available offering resources.

The Department remains committed to our collaboration with our federal, state, and local partners, including community-based organizations to promote and protect the rights of all individuals and to create a safer, healthier, affirming New York State. In this year's enacted budget, Governor Hochul dedicated more than $12 million to LGBT Health and Human Services and the Lorena Borjas Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund.

To learn more about the Department's AIDS Institute programs and priorities, visit AIDS Institute (ny.gov).

For more information about the Department's Office of LGBTQ Services initiatives and LGBTQ healthcare resources, e-mail lgbthealth@health.ny.gov.

More information about the Department's Office of Health Equity and Human Rights can be found here.