Live Link: Cortland County Health & Human Services Committee hosts a special Cortland LGBTQ Resource Center presentation

(Photo from kalfound).

This is a press release from Cortland County Clerk of the Legislature Eric Mulvihill.

In June 1969, the Stonewall Riots in New York City laid the foundation for what we as a nation now celebrate as Pride Month honoring the LGBTQ community

Now, fifty-one years after Stonewall, in an exciting display of inclusion and celebration of diversity, the Cortland LGBTQ Center is invited by the Cortland County Legislature to accept a proclamation to declare Pride Month in Cortland County. As part of this ceremony, a special Health & Human Services Committee is scheduled Thursday, July 23rd at 5:00 pm in Legislative Chambers to hear a full-length presentation by the Cortland LGBTQ Center about their program and services.

All Cortland County legislative members have been invited to attend, Due to COVID -19 sanctions, public attendance is currently not allowed but live streaming is available for this presentation and can be accessed http://cortlandcountyny.iqm2.com/Citizens/default.aspx.

Shortly following this presentation, the Celebrating Pride Month proclamation will be read and presented by Sandy Price, Legislator (D-Virgil) to Center representatives during the regularly scheduled Cortland County Legislature’s general session which will begin at 6:00 pm. Live streaming video is available.

While this proclamation is a step, there is still a significant amount of work ahead. Through education and advocacy, the Center hopes that individuals will see that LGBTQ identities are worthy of compassion, inclusion, and even celebration. Lisa Hoeschele, Executive Director and CEO of Family & Children’s Counseling Services, says, “We are proud of our Center staff and all that they do to support our local LGBTQ community every day. I am personally grateful to the County Legislature in publicly recognizing that all members of our community are important and contributing citizens deserving of respect.”

In honor of the proclamation, the Cortland LGBTQ center is extending an open invitation to all organizations, businesses, groups, and elected officials to schedule a free LGBTQ cultural competency training. The Center will provide all trainings via Zoom and will accommodate varied schedules. Staff can be reached via the Center’s Program Coordinator, Sam, at [email protected].

Click here to watch tonight's special meeting.