Rep. Jerry Nadler kicks off #LIDAWARDS - Chairman Hakeem Jeffries honored by Rep. Nydia Velazquez

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Representative Jerry Nadler, dubbed “general counsel to the resistance” by LID President Jared Arader, opened up the club’s annual awards event touting the day’a most fitting news: passage of the Equality Act in the House. 

“The Equality Act, a bill which traces its roots back to [the late Congresswoman] Bella Abzug, says that all LGBT people must be treated with total equality” said Nadler.  He went on to note that the arguments against the bill were “trivial,” and that it’s eventual passage by the U.S. Senate will have been based on the work of “the people in this room and organizations like LID.”

Representative Velazquez, accepting an award on behalf of House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, gave a powerful speech noting the importance of the Equality Act’s passage.  Velazquez was introduced by LID Board Member and Queeramisu founded Samy Nemir Olivares, who noted Velazquez’ fierce work on behalf of the LGBTQ and immigrant communities.  

Chairman Jeffries was honored with the Brooklyn Lambda Award for his dedicated leadership on behalf of the LGBTQ community.  In his opening remarks, Arader noted Jeffries importance as one of the U.S.’ “most visible Brooklynites.”