BY: Liliana R Suarez, Senior Editor. New York City Council Chambers City Hall NYC 10007, June 9th 2025

The New York City Council LGBTQIA+ Caucus members, Co-Chair Erik Bottcher , Co-Chair Tiffany Caban, David Carr, Crystal Hudson, Chi Osse,Lynn Schulman and Council members, Farrah N. louis and Dr. Nantasha Williams and the members of New York City Council.

Welcomed you to PRIDE at New York City Hall , which included a live performance by Lorna Luft. Honoree’s included: Papi Juice BK, Tom Viola, Abby Chava Stein, New York Transgender Advocacy group and Lorna Luft.

Opening remarks were by Adrienne Adams, New York City Council speaker and Mayoral Candidate, who went on to say The City Chamber is the House of all people and everyone is welcome including all LGBTQIA+. We love you all and welcome you and thank each and every one of you in attendance.

Special remarks were made by New York City Council member, Lynn Schulman, LGTBQIA+ Caucus member.

Erik Bottcher Council member and open Gay politician, Presented a Proclamation to Tom Viola former executive director Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids. Council member Bottcher went on to say, that under the leadership of Mr. Viola, Broadway, raised millions of dollars for aids related causes.

We want to thank him for what he did, for our community. Mr Viola thanked Council member Bottcher and went on to say, he came to New York 50 years ago, to be Gay and that he will not live anywhere else but New York.

Abby Chava Stein is an Israeli-American transgender author, rabbi, activist, blogger, model, and speaker. She is the first openly transgender woman raised in a Hasidic community, and is a direct descendant of Hasidic Judais.

She was presented a proclamation by City Council member Tiffany Caban. Stein thanked her for the proclamation and went on to say, we want peace and love in Gaza between Palestine and Israel.

Kiara St James (She/Her/Goddess) Founder & Co-Executive Director of New York Transgender Advocacy group:

The New York Transgender Advocacy Group is a Trans-led organization. Our mission is to advocate for more inclusive gender-based policies that benefit Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming/Non-Binary (TGNCNB) individuals through building community leaders, educating practitioners, and influencing policy makers.

Our vision is to create an equitable society for TGNCNB people. To achieve this, we work with stakeholders around New York to train and empower the TGNCNB community to become active leaders in shaping the world around them.

Kiara St James was presented a Proclamation by New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson, for her work she does for TGNCNB people.

Live performances were by Martha Graham Dance company, which is an 100 years old dance school.

The Martha Graham Dance Company has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera House, Covent Garden, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as well as at the base of the Great Pyramids in Egypt and in the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre on the Acropolis in Athens.

This was a wonderful performance by the dancers of Martha Graham Dance company at the city hall chambers.

Lorna Luft was the honored guest and performer. Lorna Luft is an American actress and singer. She is the daughter of Judy Garland and Sidney Luft, the sister of Joey Luft and the half-sister of Liza Minnelli.

Born to legendary entertainer Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft, Lorna Luft made her performing debut singing on “The Judy Garland Show.” Since then, she has had dozens of starring and guest-starring roles on film and television, ranging from Grease 2 and Where the Boys Are ’84 to the series “Murder She Wrote”

Ms. Luft sang classic Frank Sinatra’s song NY NY, had the people standing on their feet and clapping so hard their hands were rosy red.

Ms. Luft Sang very with wonderful voice and had great hand and dance moves for a 72 years old performer, which I really enjoyed listening to her.

Council member Erik Bottcher presented Ms. Luft with a proclamation for her service throughout the years.

About New York City Council:  The New York City Council is the city’s legislative body, responsible for enacting laws, approving the city’s budget, overseeing city agencies, and making land use decisions. It’s an equal partner with the Mayor in governing the city. Services councils must provide:

Being a representative decision-maker for their community, Providing services and facilities in a fair and sustainable way.

Representing their community to other tiers of government and Planning at the local level for the development and future needs of the area.

See more about New York City Council Pride at New York City Hall Event-2025, in our World Liberty TV, Political Channels, Blogs and Who is Who? of the Political world by clicking here.