2025 LGBTQ+ Power Players

Randolfe Wicker is a pre-Stonewall gay militant. In 1958, Wicker joined NY Mattachine. He opened the radio to homosexuals speaking for themselves in 1962. In September of 1964, Wicker organized the first public demonstration for gay civil rights. He was the first member of the LGBTQ+ community to appear live on television, answering phoned-in questions on Les Crane Show in 1965. In 1966, Wicker was one of five who demanded the right to public assembly and public accommodation at Julius Bar, making gay bars legal. 

What words of advice would you offer to a young LGBTQ+ individual growing up today?

• Learn the basics about a lot of things.
• Take home-ec and shop classes  in high school.
• Include basic business and bookkeeping courses in your education even if you’re majoring in arts.
• Try to have only your name on the lease.
• Don’t run up college loans or debts except to gain skills in lucrative fields or trades that you enjoy.
• Never loan money to anyone that you need repaid.
• Don’t involve sexual partners in your work life.

Is there an LGBTQ+ owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
To keep up with today’s culture war news, subscribe to THEM . Join The Marsha P. Johnson Family Foundation located in Elizabeth, N.J., a 501c3 nonprofit, run by James Carey who is president of the foundation and Marsha’s cousin. They have secured a location outside Elizabeth, NJ City Hall in which to erect a memorial to Marsha P. Johnson, Elizabeth, NJ’s most famous citizen.     

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
The proudest moment of my career was getting a program in which homosexuals spoke for themselves broadcast on WBAI-FM on July 15, 1962. A conservative group tried to get WBAI’s license revoked “for putting perverts on the air” which resulted in a ruling from the FCC that “Homosexuality is an appropriate subject for discussion on the airways”. That program got news stories in all sorts of media and gave us “freedom of speech” to change the world! 

Kei Williams (they/them) is a visionary Black queer transmasculine leader and the newly appointed executive director of NEW Pride Agenda, New York’s leading LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization. Williams brings more than a decade of experience as a community organizer and a powerful voice for justice. Their efforts have been integral in accomplishing NPA’s advocacy goals, playing a central role in the expansion of the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund (TWEF).

What words of advice would you offer to a young LGBTQ+ individual growing up today?
Seeing the news, hearing the vitriol and hatred politicians are throwing at you – I know it’s scary. We’re living through unprecedented times. Remember that the path to liberation is never straight. It bends, it curves. But it always moves towards justice. And it is a path that you do not walk alone. You have community advocates, legal champions, and loving allies who are right there, shoulder to shoulder, step by step, with you.

Is there an LGBTQ+ owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
I’d like to highlight all of the organizations providing housing, healthcare, and jobs to the trans community through the state’s TWEF program and New York City’s Trans Equity Initiative Program. There are too many to name here, but the trans-led and trans-serving organizations are putting in the work day in and day out to enhance our wellness and improve our safety.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Leading the NEW Pride Agenda is the honor of my lifetime, and I am so proud of the progress we have already made. We have spearheaded a forceful response to the torrent of anti-trans attacks from the Trump administration. That includes multiple intensely-covered grassroots actions condemning anti-trans violence and threats to gender-affirming care. And we have been at the forefront of state budget advocacy, securing a $500,000 increase in annual TWEF funding.

Christopher Wilson, MSN, RN, CNML, CENP, NEA-BC, FACHE, is an accomplished health care leader with 10+ years in nursing/hospital administration. Since 2022, he is chief nursing officer at Metropolitan Hospital, a 338-bed academic community hospital. Under Chris’s leadership, Metropolitan Hospital received two GOLD Beacon Awards from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Lantern Award from Emergency Nurses Association, two Centers of Excellence designations from AORN, Baby-Friendly Hospital re-designation, and GOLD Safe Sleep Center redesignation. He is also on Becker’s list of “CNOs to Know” and Best Practice Award from NYONL.

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 nearly 10,000 members, including people living with HIV/AIDS and people of transgender experience, who represent more than 30% of membership.

What words of advice would you offer to a young LGBTQ+ individual growing up today?
Each day, you can decide what to share with others, but be truthful with yourself first. Read more about the civil rights movement to see the clear interconnections between racism, misogyny, homophobia, and transphobia. It really is true, “No one is free until we are all free” (Martin Luther King Jr.).

Is there an LGBTQ+ owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
I’d like to celebrate the NY Transgender Coalition, made up of six trans-focused organizations (Amida Care, Colectivo Intercultural TRANSgrediendo, Community Healthcare Network, Destination Tomorrow, NEW Pride Agenda, and TransLatinx Network). Last year, they initiated the “My Body. My Life. My PrEP” campaign, aimed at educating the trans community about pre-exposure prophylaxis in the fight against HIV. Recently, in partnership with NY Transgender Advocacy Group, the coalition launched the #365TransVisibility campaign, social media posts highlighting trans leaders and advocates.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
My proudest moments have been achieving major positive health outcomes for Amida Care members, including advancing access to a Hepatitis C cure for over 2,000 members when HepC was a leading killer of people with HIV; supporting over 2,600 members in obtaining access to gender-affirming care; and helping members with HIV achieve undetectable viral loads, resulting in zero-risk of transmitting HIV. These achievements have saved lives and enabled our members to live fully and authentically.

Michael Serao, a distinguished banking executive with 25 years of financial experience, is known for his leadership and community advocacy. Currently serving as executive vice president and chief administrative officer at First Central Savings Bank (FCSB), he integrates community-focused banking with digital innovation for an all-inclusive experience. Serao is deeply committed to autism and LGBTQIA+ causes, championing nonprofit funding for education, health, and environmental initiatives. Beyond banking, he serves on nonprofit boards like QSAC and The Freeport Education Foundation, shapes banking policies with NYBA and NYLIB, and drives sustainable development as chair of the planning board for Hewlett Harbor. Residing in Hewlett Harbor with his husband, Dr. Fidel Abreu, Serao exemplifies impactful leadership.