2023 LGBTQ+ Power Players

Virginia Muñoz (she/her) is originally from south Texas and relocated to New York City about 29 years ago.  As a member of the LGBTQ community, she understands how many young people can struggle with their identity, and became a passionate advocate and fundraiser for the Trevor Project 12 years ago. She served on the board of directors for 10 years, with four of them as chair of the board.

Which LGBTQ+ icons do you look up to?
Oscar Wilde, Edith Windsor, RuPaul and Madonna (for her support).

What actions do you hope to see the government taking to support the LGBTQ+ community?
Stop identifying LGBTQ folx as “others” in everything – provide legal protections and make them equal. We are humans, just humans.

What do you wish people outside of the community knew about the LGBTQ+ community?
That we are just like everyone else, people, caring, loving, human not what those with misguided fears or misinformation claim we are.

Can you recommend any top book, film, or TV shows that represent the LGBTQ+ experience?
My Beautiful Laundrette, a heartbreaking film by Stephen Frears

Peggy Rajski (she/her) is an Oscar-winning filmmaker and founder of the groundbreaking nonprofit The Trevor Project. Rajski won the Oscar for Best Live Action Short for directing the short film Trevor (1994), a story about a young teen whose world is turned upside down when word spreads that he might be gay. Her experience with the film led her to create The Trevor Project, America’s first 24/7 suicide prevention service dedicated to LGBTQ young people.

Which LGBTQ+ icons do you look up to?
Billie Jean King, James Baldwin, Charles Busch and Diana Ross

What actions do you hope to see the government taking to support the LGBTQ+ community?
Continued funding for dedicated crisis support for LGBTQ young people and passing legislation that protects their human right to be who they are as they are.

What do you wish people outside of the community knew about the LGBTQ+ community?
That there’s no such thing as a “gay lifestyle”. (People’s essence is not a lifestyle and I’ve always found that phrase beyond irritating.)

Can you recommend any top book, film, or TV shows that represent the LGBTQ+ experience?
Parting Glances (Bill Sherwood’s film), A Home At The End of the World (Michael Cunningham’s novel), Six Feet Under (TV show), Paris is Burning and The Life and Times of Harvey Milk

Andrew Ward is a deputy general counsel with KPMG LLP, one of the “Big Four” professional services firms providing audit, tax and consulting services, where he served on the Firm’s national Pride Advisory Board. He also served as vice chair for the Ali Forney Center, the nation’s largest provider of housing and support services for LGBTQ+ youth and co-chair of Athlete Ally, whose mission is to end homophobia and transphobia in sport.

Which LGBTQ+ icons do you look up to?
Three of my icons are Bayard Rustin, an openly gay man of color who was one of the principal organizers of the March on Washington in 1963; Marsha P. Johnson, a transgender woman of color who advocated for the rights of all LGBTQ+ people until she (like so many trans women of color) was killed in 1992 (still unsolved); and Jeanne Manford, an ally and mother who founded PFLAG to support her gay son.

What do you wish people outside of the community knew about the LGBTQ+ community?
Being LGBTQ+ is a regularly occurring variation in nature, like being right-handed or having brown eyes – it’s just the way people are born. It cuts across all races, all cultures, and all socio-economic levels.  Also, the LGBTQ+ community, like many communities, is not monolithic in terms of political and cultural views, desires, life experiences, hopes and dreams.

Can you recommend any top book, film, or TV shows that represent the LGBTQ+ experience?
A Union Like Ours by Scott Bane, Gay New York by George Chauncey, Gay Berlin by Robert Beachy, The Sacred Band by James Room, When Brooklyn was Queer by Hugh Ryan,  The Swimming Pool Library by Alan Hollinghurst, The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall, Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, The Deviant’s War by Eric Cervini, Dancer from the Dance by Andrew Holleran, And the Band Played On by Randy Shilts

Kim Watson-Benjamin is the LGBTQ and health coordinator for the New York City Public Advocate Jumanne D. Williams. Kim is a mother of her now 14 year old daughter who keeps her pushing the envelope to thrive with perseverance. Kim is very humble as she provides and connects TGNCNB community through justice, health equity and safety in the community engagement department. Kim is determined to show up and show out.

Which LGBTQ+ icons do you look up to?
I pay homage to Ms.Major who continues to fight for our right to be alive .

What actions do you hope to see the government taking to support the LGBTQ+ community?
The actions I hope to see the government taking to support the LGBTQ community is to continue hiring us so we can be visible and be a part of the process .

What do you wish people outside of the community knew about the LGBTQ+ community?
I wish that folks outside of the community would commit to uplifting us as well as show up and show up for us in all capacity.

Can you recommend any top book, film, or TV shows that represent the LGBTQ+ experience?
The Modern Day Woman by me

Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.7 million-member American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other healthcare professionals; local, state and federal government employees; and early childhood educators. The AFT is dedicated to the belief that every person in America deserves the freedom to thrive, fueled by opportunity, justice and a voice in our democracy.

Which LGBTQ+ icons do you look up to?
Of course, my wife, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum. Also George Takei, Bayard Rustin and then all the young trans and LGBTQ+ activists including those from Florida who have led the walkouts against Ron DeSantis’ ‘Don’t Say Gay’ laws– Jack Petocz, Nathalie Saladrigas and Will Larkins.

What actions do you hope to see the government taking to support the LGBTQ+ community?
As MAGA-aligned governors and legislatures around the country are weaponizing and dehumanizing the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans youth, we fight for safe, welcoming, inclusive public-school classrooms where every kid has the opportunity to thrive. We need elected leaders to stand up and support their basic human rights.

What do you wish people outside of the community knew about the LGBTQ+ community?
The laughter and joy that accompanies the work and the struggle. Every fight for justice requires sweat and effort—and there is so much pain in being erased or invisible. But we have learned that joy is an act of resistance. That’s why you see us dancing at Gay Pride (and at our weddings!).

Can you recommend any top book, film, or TV shows that represent the LGBTQ+ experience?
A League of Their Own starring Abbi Jacobson and Schitt’s Creek with Dan Levy, and of course my must-watch MSNBC news anchors Jonathan Capehart and Rachel Maddow.

The Rev. Matt Welsch (he/him) is an Episcopal priest with over 15 years’ experience in community engagement and advancing social justice. He is currently the priest and director of youth and community care at Trinity Church Wall Street. This work includes leading Trinity Youth, a vibrant community of over 700 young people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs. In his work, Fr. Matt is committed to cultivating the leadership, wisdom, and joy of all people – especially queer and vulnerable youth. He serves on the Disciplinary Board of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, and as chair of the LGBTQ+ Concerns Committee of the Diocese. He lives in Brooklyn with his husband Joel and their dog Rachel.

Doug Wirth has served as president and CEO of Amida Care since 2006. Under his tenure, Amida Care has empowered thousands of New Yorkers living with HIV to take control of their health. Amida Care has grown to become the largest Medicaid managed care Special Needs Health Plan (SNP) in New York, with more than 9,000 members, including people living with HIV/AIDS and people of transgender experience, who represent over 20% of membership.

Which LGBTQ+ icons do you look up to?
Phill Wilson, founder and President of the Black AIDS Institute, was an early voice on HIV in the Black community; Manvendra Singh Gohil is the first openly gay Indian prince. He runs the Lakshya Trust, a charity for HIV/AIDS prevention; Dennis Deleon is the former president of Latino Commission on AIDS.  DeLeon’s contributions include translating HIV information into Spanish and serving as Human Rights Commissioner in 1986.

What actions do you hope to see the government taking to support the LGBTQ+ community?
Increasing funding for the Lorena Borjas TGNC Wellness/Equity Fund to make sure that TGNC-led organizations can thrive in every region of NYS. Additionally, passing key pieces of legislation to protect LGBTQAI+ people in NY including Safe Haven for Trans Youth and Families, NYS Equal Rights Amendment, Comprehensive Sex Education and the Federal Equality Act.

What do you wish people outside of the community knew about the LGBTQ+ community?
Martin Luther King, Jr. was right: “No one is free until we are all free.” When one of us is oppressed, all of us are diminished by that oppression.

Can you recommend any top book, film, or TV shows that represent the LGBTQ+ experience?
Netflix films Sense8 and Your Name Engraved Herein.

Chris Woods (he/him) serves as the senior director of inclusive policy and director of the LGBTQ+ Center within the Office of Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Strategic Innovation at New York University. He is the primary point of contact for inclusive policies, practices, and initiatives for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, staff, and alums. Additionally, he collaborates with University partners on inclusive policy development and operational work—advancing the University’s commitment to global inclusion, diversity, belonging, equity, and access.

Which LGBTQ+ icons do you look up to?
I look up to queer and trans elders and ancestors who paved possibilities that have allowed for many of us to be seen and understood as LGBTQ+ people. Audre Lorde—who described herself as Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, and poet—is an icon whose writing inspires me, including my favorite quote: “When I dare to be powerful—to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”

What actions do you hope to see the government taking to support the LGBTQ+ community?
The rise in anti-trans and queer legislation targeting education, health care, and other protections on the state-level is threatening the livelihood of LGBTQ+ communities nationally. I would like to see the government double down on support for LGBTQ+ communities—creating models for LGBTQ+ inclusive policy and practice at the state and federal level and safety nets for people living in LGBTQ-hostile states to get the care and support they need in that state or elsewhere.

What do you wish people outside of the community knew about the LGBTQ+ community?
As a lifelong educator, I wish more people both within and outside of LGBTQ+ communities thought deeply about and sought education on the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ people who hold multiple marginalized identities (e.g., LGBTQ+ folks of color, disabled folks, undocumented folks, etc.) and identified tangible actions (e.g., inclusive language, contributing funds, volunteering time) that advance their needs. We all have a role to play—what would you like your role to be?

Can you recommend any top book, film, or TV shows that represent the LGBTQ+ experience?
I am obsessed with all things LGBTQ+ media!! The list could go on forever but some of my favorite recommendations would include:
Books: Sister Outsider and Zami: A New Spelling of My Name both by Audre Lorde, Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg
Films: Pariah, But I’m A Cheerleader, Disclosure