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:

 

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

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

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

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Jared Trujillo

(He/Him)
 Attorney at NYCLU

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

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

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

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

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

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Max Micallef
(They/He/She)
Queer Rights Activist

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Marti Cummings
(They/Them)
Community Leader

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

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

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

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

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

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Melissa Sklarz
(She/Her)
Government Relations, SAGE

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

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

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

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Alex Karydi
(They/She)

Director of State and Community Initiatives, Suicide Prevention Resource Center & Queer Activist

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Samuel Nemir Olivares
(He/Him)
Founder, Queer-Amisú

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Brendan Wright
(He/Him & They/Them)

Gays Against Guns

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Bryan Ball
(He/Him)
President, Stonewall Democrats of WNY 

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Brian Romero
(He/Him)
Vice President, Stonewall Democrats of NYC

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Chanel Lopez
(She/Her)
Transgender Communities Liaison, NYC Commission on Human Rights

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John Blasco
(He/Him)
Community Activist/District Leader 74th AD

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Judy Troilo
(She/Her)
Executive Director, The LOFT LGBT Community Service Center

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Jake Martinez
(He/Him)
Director of Youth Programs at NYCLU

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Andy Praschak
(He/Him)
LGBT Leader & Activist

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Dina Marie
(She/Her)
Artist & Activist

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Lindsay Jones
(She/Her & They/Them)
Artist & Activist

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Melissa Broudo
(She/Her)
Executive Director SOARS Institute

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Dr. Wilhelmina Perry
(She/Her)
LGBT Faith Leaders of African Descent

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Elissa Stein
(She/Her)
Artist & Activist