2024 LGBTQ+ Power Players

Lee Soulja, a celebrated visual performance artist has appeared in several national media publications like The NY Times and Vogue magazine, movies like Saturday Church and TV shows like POSE and New Amsterdam. For 20 years his organization the NYC Center for Black Pride has created safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people to advocate for HIV/ AIDS awareness and prevention and equal human rights. He has been recognized by many leaders including the Mayor and the Governor.

Is there an LGBTQ+ icon or member of the community that you look up to?
There are three LGBTQ+ icons that have inspired me. They are the rock and roll pioneer, Little Richard, civil rights leader, Bayard Rustin and the house and ballroom icon, Willi Ninja. All three have inspired me to walk and live in my truth. However, They also created a path for many to follow for generations to come. I hope that my work with the NYC Center for Black Pride will leave a similar legacy.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
It is my hope to raise funding to open an educational center called the NYC Center for Black Pride, Inc. The center would be a safe space for LGBTQ+ people of color to convene and learn about the history that isn’t taught in our current schools and education system.

Utilizing values of compassion, humanity and love for philanthropy, Gabrielle finds herself compelled to put that very same devotion and effort back into her community. She currently utilizes her voice to bring awareness to the violence and hardships of Black Trans Women like herself in hopes to change the stigma, harmful narratives, and put an end to the violence against Trans and non-binary individuals through creative programming and the provision of direct resources.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Hey there! Just a quick note from the future: Embrace every moment, even the tough ones, because they shape who you become. Trust your instincts, they’re sharper than you think. Don’t stress too much about the future; it’ll unfold in its own beautiful way. Take risks, learn from mistakes, and always prioritize your well-being. Oh, and don’t forget to cherish those around you – they’re your greatest treasures. You’ve got this! Keep shining bright.

Is there an LGBTQ+ icon or member of the community that you look up to?
As a Black trans woman and activist, I’ve always found inspiration in trailblazers like Marsha P. Johnson, Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major, and countless others. Their fearless advocacy and unwavering resilience paved the way for individuals like me to live authentically. I honor their legacies by carrying their torch forward, amplifying their voices, and striving for a more inclusive and equitable world. They are beacons of hope and courage, guiding me on my journey.

What can New York policymakers do to support members of the LGBTQ+ community?
NYC policymakers can support the LGBTQIA+ community by implementing inclusive policies that protect rights, combat discrimination, and ensure access to healthcare, housing, and education. They should prioritize funding for LGBTQIA+ organizations and programs, amplify LGBTQIA+ voices in decision-making processes, and provide cultural competency training for service providers. Additionally, creating safe spaces, promoting visibility, and addressing systemic inequalities are crucial steps towards fostering a more inclusive and affirming environment for all LGBTQIA+ individuals in the city.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
I’m committed to amplifying the impactful work I do within my community and through leading The Okra Project. Organizations like ours rely on continuous support to fulfill our mission of empowering and uplifting marginalized communities. It’s crucial for our message and efforts to be consistently amplified to reach those who need it most. Together, through advocacy, outreach, and solidarity, we can create meaningful change and foster a more equitable and inclusive world for all.

Kiara is a proud Black woman of Trans experience who prefers to use feminine she/her/Goddess pronouns. Kiara has been at the forefront of the TGNCNB advocacy movement for over 20 years. Her radical, progressive ideology has had a positive impact on the TGNCNB community across New York State. Kiara spearheaded the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) in New York State which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and passed in 2019.

Wendy Stark is a life-long advocate for advancing access to sexual and reproductive health care and education that affirms and respects the right to bodily autonomy, particularly for marginalized communities. Under Wendy’s leadership, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) has enhanced patient care with the implementation of a streamlined electronic medical record system, launched its first virtual health center, and has raised close to $25 million in support of PPGNY’s mission.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
Outside of the health center setting, I champion state and local legislation and policies that create a more equitable and inclusive future for all New Yorkers, including embedding the Equal Rights Amendment into the state’s constitution, statewide sexuality education curriculum for grades K-12, and a resolution to declare Ithaca a safe haven for gender-affirming health.

U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres is a fighter and trailblazer from the Bronx who has spent his entire life working for the community he calls home. In 2013, at the age of 25, Ritchie became New York City’s youngest elected official and the first openly LBGTQI+ person elected to office in the Bronx. Today, he serves as congressman for New York’s 15 Congressional District and is the first openly gay Afro-Latino member of Congress.

As executive director of Friends of the High Line, Alan van Capelle leads the nonprofit and public park on the West Side of Manhattan in its mission to reimagine the role public spaces have in creating connected, healthy neighborhoods and cities. His diverse experience in government, the nonprofit sector, and the labor movement makes him a sought-after advisor and partner by elected officials, business leaders, and nonprofit professionals alike.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
If I could I could give my younger self advice, it would be to not sweat the small stuff. Life is too short to freak out about every little thing that goes wrong. Problems have a way of sorting themselves out eventually, especially if you ask for help.

Is there an LGBTQ+ icon or member of the community that you look up to?
Recently, the community lost David Mixner, who had a profound impact on how I think about collective impact and how we build broad coalitions to advance our agenda. He also taught me that joyful moments filled with music and art are the ones that sustain us through the long battles.

What can New York policymakers do to support members of the LGBTQ+ community?
The health and human service needs of our community are great, but the dollars directed toward these constituents are crumbs. Give us the money we need to adequately take care of our people.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
The High Line was spearheaded by two gay men and has always been a home to the LGBTQ+ community. I want LGBTQ+ people to not only feel like they are welcome but that they belong here. I want them to come here and celebrate PRIDE. We have so many exciting events on the horizon — from a family picnic with The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center to a storytelling event with The Generations Project.

Justin van Fleet is the president of Theirworld and CEO of the Global Business Coalition for Education, a global children’s charity dedicated to ending the global education crisis. Previously, Justin held key positions in global education, including chief of staff to Gordon Brown, the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education. This year, Justin and his organization are launching a new youth-led task force to promote safe school environments for LGBTQ+ youth.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
If I could offer guidance to my younger self, I would emphasize the importance of authenticity. Don’t be afraid to stand true to your values, even when it may be difficult to do so. Remember to respect, value and listen to everyone around you, especially those who are different from you as they are often the people you will learn the most from. 

Is there an LGBTQ+ icon or member of the community that you look up to?
The great David Mixner was a pioneer for the LGBTQ+ community. He was not afraid to speak out against injustice and discrimination, paving the way for so many people to have the respect and dignity they deserve. He was a mentor and teacher to many,  generous with investing his time in the talent of the next generation.

What can New York policymakers do to support members of the LGBTQ+ community?
Today more than ever, it is important to demonstrate to young people that there is a space for them in our communities where they are safe and valued. The actions we take today to eradicate ignorance and discrimination – from the books we make available in schools to the way the LGBTQ+ community is represented in classrooms  – will set the tone for the next generation to thrive.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
Theirworld’s Global Youth Ambassador programme is a growing network of  5,000 + trained youth leaders who are passionate about education reform in their local communities in the US and around the world. We’re launching an LGBTQ+ Education youth task force to campaign for safe places to learn for children and youth across the globe. Anyone aged 18-28 who would like to be part of this initiative can apply to join the network here: https://theirworld.org/join-gyap/gya-application/

Kim Watson-Benjamin is presently in college pursuing her degree in public health administration. Kim has been an intercommunity representative and advocate for decades. Kim is the author of The Modern Day Woman and co-author of Healing Our Women which is an intervention for Black and brown negative and positive women. Kim looks to continue doing amazing work without limits, using all her connections to advocate and find appropriate and personal care for various communities.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
The advice I can give my younger self is to never accept “NO” as a disappointment. Accept “NO” as an opportunity to be more creative to grow.

Is there an LGBTQ+ icon or member of the community that you look up to?
There is no one in this era that I look up to. 

What can New York policymakers do to support members of the LGBTQ+ community?
I would ask the policymakers to support the members of the TGNCB community by creating laws for and not against them.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
I am working on my second book.

Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.7 million-member AFT, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other health care 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.

Is there an LGBTQ+ icon or member of the community that you look up to?
The culture war onslaught on both reproductive rights and LGBTQIA+ rights by the extreme right-wing makes showing up this Pride Month, and every month, vitally important. That’s what Bayard Rustin did in planning the March on Washington, and it’s what Martin Luther King and Philip Randolph did in defending Rustin and his role in the march. (Everyone needs to see the movie ‘Rustin’!). And we must stand up for the young transgender and LGBTQIA+ students and their allies, at Owasso High School in Oklahoma and around the country, who walked out of school and held vigils to protest the bullying that led to the tragic death of Nex Benedict. Finally, my wife, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, who is leaving Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in New York City after 32 years, has built a safe and welcoming spiritual home for gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender, non-binary, queer and straight individuals and families who share common values. As CBST’s rabbi, she has made joy an act of spiritual and political resistance.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
We are transforming schools and providing all kids ways to be prepared to live their best lives. And we’re fighting for hands-on learning, investing in community schools and giving out books – 10 million of them. Can you imagine if high schools had offerings from Advanced Placement to aviation, and served as a community hub offering services families need, like health care and food pantries? Education should be about dreaming dreams and developing the skills to achieve them. That’s what our Real Solutions for Kids and Communities campaign is all about.

Jawanza James Williams is a Black, radical Queer, Abolitionist, Socialist, Feminist, and Christian engaged in social critique, local, and state politics in New York. He is a Ph.D. political science student at the CUNY Graduate Center. Williams is originally from Beaumont, Texas. He earned a B.A. in English from Schreiner University in 2012 before moving to New York City, where he works with VOCAL-NY as the managing director of organizing.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
If I could give my younger self advice I’d say don’t make education decisions based on job prospects, but instead, follow your desire to gain knowledge to do good in the world. I’d also remind myself to document the people and moments that deepened my love for people. I’d say learn organizing practices and theories as soon as possible.

What can New York policymakers do to support members of the LGBTQ+ community?
Policymakers should better hold the complexities of our multi-issue experiences. Most of us are working-class people who want security, safety, and the ability to realize our lives without fear and without the crises produced by problematic policy, whether consequence of direct-state violence, or woeful negligence.

Is there anything you are working on that you wish more people knew about?
I want more people to understand that homelessness and the War on Drugs are consequences of the worst ideas and practices in American politics. I think that responding to crises *caused* by problematic drug policy demands a clear-eyed challenge of the very paradigm of American political thought. The history of this country is much more fascistic, racist, and violent than many are comfortable acknowledging; but that won’t solve these massive problems.