Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and council members Ritchie Torres and James Vacca co-hosted the sixth annual LGBTQ and Allies Pride Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, June 1 at Billy’s Sports Bar. This year’s honorees included Demetrius McCord, Harm Reduction Coalition deputy executive director and Community Board 8 Environment and Sanitation Committee chairman; Louise Marchena, Planned Parenthood NYC senior director of youth programs; Octavia Lewis, Islan Nettles Community Center founder and executive director, Justin Westbrook-Lowery, CB 9 Youth and Education Committee member and the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC. Former council speaker Christine Quinn, Woman in Need president, was awarded the John F. Wade Memorial Award which recognizes LGBTQ individuals for excellence in government service.
Former Council Speaker Christine Quinn graciously accepted the John F. Wade Memorial Award from Councilman Vacca, Diaz and Councilman Torres.Photo by Silvio Pacifico
