Senate Resolution No. 685 BY: Senator HOYLMAN-SIGAL COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor and commemorate the distinguished histories of the institutions which comprise the noble body of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center, commonly known as "The Center," to be celebrated on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at the Center Dinner; and WHEREAS, The Center Dinner, is the organization's largest annual gala, which brings together almost 1,000 supporters of The Center, making the event one of the largest gatherings of the LGBTQ+ community and allies in the New York City area; the evening raises critical funds to support the life-saving and life-enhancing programs offered, while bringing together influential LGBTQ+ community members and allies to celebrate those who are doing this work, and whose efforts are ushering in a more just and equitable world; and WHEREAS, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center, then known as the "Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center Inc.," was incorporated on July 6th, 1983; and WHEREAS, The Center has steadily expanded the services it offers, becoming a fixture of Greenwich Village through its work to connect clients with individual, couple, and family counseling, substance use services, youth and young adult services, HIV services and testing, assistance with health insurance, and social supports services and groups; and WHEREAS, The Center has a long history of promoting LGBTQ+ representation in civic life, first through its Promote the Vote initiative, which at the time of its founding, was the largest nonpartisan lesbian and gay voter registration and mobilization program, and today through its RiseOut People's Platform; and WHEREAS, The Center serves as a safe space, hub of activism, and resource for the LGBTQ+ community, NYC residents, visitors, and more than 400 community groups; and WHEREAS, The Center's dedicated and compassionate staff use their expertise and lived experience to serve as social workers, event coordinators, crisis counselors, therapists, counselors, friends, and mentors in service of this mission; and WHEREAS, At a time when hate crimes and hate-fueled rhetoric directed toward the LGBTQ+ community have risen meteorically, particularly towards trans, nonbinary, and two-spirit individuals, The Center's work has never been more important; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate The Center's 40th Anniversary, recognizing the significance of the role it continues to play in providing a place to connect and engage, find camaraderie and support, and celebrate the vibrancy and growth of the LGBTQ+ community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community Center.