Buffalo, NY - Mayor Byron W. Brown was joined by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, leaders of Buffalo’s LGBTQ community, and several elected officials to launch Pride Week 2019 in the City of Buffalo.
The 28th Annual Pride Week flag raising took place at noon today in Niagara Square, kicking-off a series of LGBTQ events, which will culminate with the Pride Parade and Buffalo Pride Festival on Sunday, June 2nd.
“My Administration works every day to make Buffalo a welcoming place of inclusion and diversity, including efforts to recognize and protect the dignity of all, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity,” Mayor Byron W. Brown said.
In May 2018, Mayor Brown instituted a progressive set of City of Buffalo Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines for city employees, as part of his mission to make Buffalo a City of Opportunity for all.
“The introduction of that policy reflects our goal, laid out in my Opportunity Agenda, of building a city that respects the diversity of its people. Department heads now have official guidelines to follow when an employee is undergoing, or has undergone, the process of gender transition in the workplace, and use them to best support the transitioning individual,” Mayor Brown said.
The City of Buffalo also offers trans-inclusive employee health insurance coverage and installed gender- neutral bathrooms at City Hall.
“As we begin Pride Week in Buffalo, this year is especially poignant as our nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, a groundbreaking moment and proud part of New York’s history,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who spoke at today’s ceremony. “As the federal government works to roll back LGBTQ rights, we continue to stand up for equality and fight for the rights of all New Yorkers no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
“We are excited to join with our local elected officials and WNY LGBTQ Community to kick off Buffalo Pride Week,” said Bryan Ball, President of SDWNY. “On the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising that launched the modern LGBTQ Pride movement, we are so proud to stand in our city and state to celebrate the history, progress and pride that was born in our community, and celebrate the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community in Buffalo and Western New York.”
The Buffalo Pride Parade will take place Sunday, June 2nd, starting at noon, and traveling down Elmwood Avenue, from Forest Avenue to Allen Street. The Buffalo Price Festival follows the parade, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Canalside.
Visit buffaloprideweek.com to purchase festival tickets and see a complete list of Pride Week 2019 events.