Advisory Council
Equality New York’s (EQNY) Advisory Council is comprised of 35+ 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 2021 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)
Attorney at NYCLU
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
Max Micallef
(They/He/She)
Queer Rights Activist
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
Alex Karydi
(They/She)
Director of State and Community Initiatives, Suicide Prevention Resource Center & Queer Activist
Samuel Nemir Olivares
(He/Him)
Founder, Queer-Amisú
Brendan Wright
(He/Him & They/Them)
Gays Against Guns
Bryan Ball
(He/Him)
President, Stonewall Democrats of WNY
Brian Romero
(He/Him)
Vice President, Stonewall Democrats of NYC
Chanel Lopez
(She/Her)
Transgender Communities Liaison, NYC Commission on Human Rights
John Blasco
(He/Him)
Community Activist/District Leader 74th AD
Judy Troilo
(She/Her)
Executive Director, The LOFT LGBT Community Service Center
Jake Martinez
(He/Him)
Director of Youth Programs at NYCLU
Andy Praschak
(He/Him)
LGBT Leader & Activist
Dina Marie
(She/Her)
Artist & Activist
Lindsay Jones
(She/Her & They/Them)
Artist & Activist
Melissa Broudo
(She/Her)
Executive Director SOARS Institute
Dr. Wilhelmina Perry
(She/Her)
LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent
Elissa Stein
(She/Her)
Artist & Activist