Advisory Council

Equality New York’s (EQNY) Advisory Council is comprised of 24 individuals who are working directly to improve the lives of the LGBTQI community here in New York State. This diverse group of leaders play a critical role in centering all legislative/budget efforts, campaigns, and leadership programming. The advisory council functions include, but are not limited to:

developing annual priorities for Equality New York initiatives accompanied with their intended impact;
identifying community needs that lead to legislative and budget priorities;
spearheading special projects and campaigns;
serving as an advocate and spokesperson for the coalition;
creating mechanisms for communication and opportunities for dialogue between the advisory council and community.

Only Advisory Council members are eligible to apply to be on the EQNY Action PAC’s endorsement committee during campaign cycles. 10 individuals are selected by the Executive Director and Board to serve on this endorsement committee.

Below are our 2020-2022 Equality New York’s (EQNY) Advisory Council members:

Grace Detrevarah
(She/Her)
LGBT Liaison, The Osborne Association

Michael J Mallon
(He/Him)
Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club of Queens

Juli Grey-Owens
(She/Her)
Executive Director, Gender Equality New York

Jared Trujillo
(He/Him)
President, Association of Legal Aid Attorneys
(U.A.W. 2325)

Teri Wilhelm
(She/Her)
Chapter Co-Chair, GLSEN Upstate New York

Jared B Arader
(He/Him)
President, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn

Steven Sharpe Jr
(He/Him)
Digital Project Manager & Social Media Content Creator

Brian Esser
(He/Him)
Co-Founder of EQNY & Family Law Attorney

Cathy Marino-Thomas
(She/Her)
Emeritus Board President, Marriage Equality USA

Farhat Rahman
(They/He)
Gender & Family Project, Ackerman Institute for the Family

Marti Cummings
(They/Them)
Community Leader

Carmen Neely
(She/Her)
Co-Chair, NYC Pride and Power

Jimmy Rivera
(He/Him)
Vice President of Stonewall Democrats of NYC

Kristen Browde
(She/Her)
President, LGBT Bar Association

Rod Townsend
(He/Him)
Former President, Stonewall Democrats of NYC

Arie Moore
(She/Her)
Board Member, Gender Equality New York

Melissa Sklarz
(She/Her)
Government Relations, SAGE

Jevon Martin
(He/Him/King of New York 2020)
Executive Director, Princess Janae Place

Tanya Asapansa Walker
(She/Her)
Co-Founder, New York Transgender Advocacy Group

Victoria Rodríguez-Roldán
(She/Her)
Senior Policy Counsel & Director of the Trans/GNC & Disability Justice Projects, National LGBTQ Task Force