essex county commissioners honor community leaders for lgbtq pride month
L to R: Comm'r President Carlos Pomares, Comm'r A'Dorian Murray-Thomas, Comm'r Brendan Gill, Director of the Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs Reggie Bledsoe, Angelica Midolo of Nutley Pride, Comm'r Leonard Luciano, Paul Blank of Nutley Pride, Jack Denelsbeck of Pet Wants SOMA, Kristine-Ellis Petrik and Dr. Jodie Dawson of Java Love, Leslie Farber, Esq., Comm'r Patricia Sebold, Comm'r Wayne Richardson, Bloomfield Councilwoman Monica Charris Tabares, Comm'r Vice President Tyshammie Cooper.
(Newark, NJ) – On Wednesday, June 25, the Essex County Board of County Commissioners held its third annual LGBTQ Pride Month celebration. The Board acknowledged outstanding queer community members throughout the County, and re-affirmed their commitment that Essex County is a welcoming, inclusive place to live and work for all identities and orientations.
The honorees this year included Newark Pride, Nutley Pride, Dr. Jodie Thorz Dawson and Kristine-Ellis Petrik of Java Love Coffee Roasters in Montclair, Jack Denelsbeck and Jonathan Javins of Pet Wants SOMA in South Orange, and Leslie Farber, Esq., co-chair of the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board. The Spectrum Club of Columbia High School in Maplewood was also recognized, although they were not able to attend the event.
“There is a long history around the world of queer people being forced to deny who they are and who they love,” said Commissioner President Carlos M. Pomares. “While the fight for acceptance is not over, today in Essex, things are different. We are proud to celebrate Pride Month, and declare that we are not just allies but defenders of our LGBTQ friends, family, and neighbors. Congratulations to all our honorees, and thank you for all you do!”
Musical accompaniment was provided by Haneefah James of the Aurway Ensemble.
L to R: Comm'r President Carlos Pomares, Comm'r A'Dorian Murray-Thomas, Comm'r Brendan Gill, Director of the Essex County Office of LGBTQ Affairs Reggie Bledsoe, Angelica Midolo of Nutley Pride, Comm'r Leonard Luciano, Paul Blank of Nutley Pride, Jack Denelsbeck of Pet Wants SOMA, Kristine-Ellis Petrik and Dr. Jodie Dawson of Java Love, Leslie Farber, Esq., Comm'r Patricia Sebold, Comm'r Wayne Richardson, Bloomfield Councilwoman Monica Charris Tabares, Comm'r Vice President Tyshammie Cooper.
(Newark, NJ) – On Wednesday, June 25, the Essex County Board of County Commissioners held its third annual LGBTQ Pride Month celebration. The Board acknowledged outstanding queer community members throughout the County, and re-affirmed their commitment that Essex County is a welcoming, inclusive place to live and work for all identities and orientations.
The honorees this year included Newark Pride, Nutley Pride, Dr. Jodie Thorz Dawson and Kristine-Ellis Petrik of Java Love Coffee Roasters in Montclair, Jack Denelsbeck and Jonathan Javins of Pet Wants SOMA in South Orange, and Leslie Farber, Esq., co-chair of the Essex County LGBTQ Advisory Board. The Spectrum Club of Columbia High School in Maplewood was also recognized, although they were not able to attend the event.
“There is a long history around the world of queer people being forced to deny who they are and who they love,” said Commissioner President Carlos M. Pomares. “While the fight for acceptance is not over, today in Essex, things are different. We are proud to celebrate Pride Month, and declare that we are not just allies but defenders of our LGBTQ friends, family, and neighbors. Congratulations to all our honorees, and thank you for all you do!”
Musical accompaniment was provided by Haneefah James of the Aurway Ensemble.