LID's 2019 Honorees
Every year, LID honors those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership our community. This year we honor the work and dedication of Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, State Senator Brad Hoylman, Activist Cecilia Gentili, the New York Transgender Advocacy Group (NYTAG) and the Brooklyn Irish LGBTQ Organization (BILO).
The LID Awards are Friday, May 17 at Berg’n in Crown Heights. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Representative Hakeem Jeffries
Hakeem Jeffries, representing New York’s 8th Congressional district, was elected Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus this year - making him one of the most visible Brooklynites in the country. Chairman Jeffries is a co-sponsor of The Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ people from employment, housing, and other forms of discrimination nationwide. Before being elected to Congress, Chairman Jeffries served six years in the New York State Assembly.
State Senator Brad Hoylman
Currently the only openly LGBT member of the State Senate, Senator Brad Hoylman most recently helped pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and a ban on the so-called practice of conversion therapy. He was first elected to the Senate in 2012 after spending more than 20 years as a grassroots activist. Since taking office, Senator Hoylman also helped win more funding for homeless youth shelters and a 30 percent income rent cap for low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.
Cecilia Gentili
Cecilia Gentili is the founder of Transgender Equity Consulting, and most recently served as Director of Policy at Gay Men’s Health Crisis from 2016 to 2019. Throughout her career, Cecilia has trained more than 3,000 individuals on a range of issues that include LGBTQ inclusion, immigration, drug use, sexual health, trans sensitivity, and intersectionality. Cecilia is originally from Argentina, and found her passion for advocacy and community service as an intern at the NYC LGBT Community Center.
New York Transgender Advocacy Group
The New York Transgender Advocacy Group (NYTAG) is a Transgender-led nonprofit. Their mission is to advocate for gender-based policies that benefit Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming individuals through building community leaders, educating practitioners, dismantling systems, and influencing policy makers.
Brooklyn Irish LGBTQ Organization
Brooklyn Irish LGBTQ Organization (BILO) was formed by LGBTQ Brooklynites of Irish descent to celebrate the diversity of the Irish and Irish-American community in Brooklyn. In 2019, with the support of Assembly Member Robert Carroll, BILO became the first LGBTQ contingent to march in Brooklyn’s Irish American Day/St. Patrick’s Day parade, ending several decades of LGBTQ exclusion.