VNSNY’s LGBT Outreach Connects with the Community at Queens Pride Parade and Festival

World liberty TV photography (c) 2018

On Sunday, June 3, the borough of Queens held its 26th annual Queens Pride Parade and Festival in Jackson Heights, bringing together local residents and dozens of advocacy and health organizations to celebrate the Queens LGBT community and the cause of social justice. “The day was filled with an amazing sense of community,” says Arthur Fitting, VNSNY’s LGBT Program Manager, who hosted VNSNY’s booth in the finish line area of the parade. “There was a tremendous mix of ethnic groups and ages, including a large senior population, which was great for our program. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.”

Arthur estimates that he greeted about 1,000 individuals at the VNSNY booth, handing out VNSNY-branded pens and sunscreen along with brochures about VNSNY’s LGBT outreach program. “The response we received was incredible,” he notes. “Many people weren’t aware of all that VNSNY is doing to support LGBT seniors. The older people I spoke with very happy to learn about VNSNY’s focus on LGBT-friendly home care services. I was also surprised at how supportive the younger people were of our program. Those I talked to felt strongly that older members of the LGBT community had experienced difficulty around healthcare issues in the past, and they were glad to see that VNSNY has stepped into that gap.”