BY: Adal Hussain, Chief Editor at 37th Ave Jackson Heights Queens NY June 7th 2026
The New York LGBT Network today announced that FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore will serve as one of the Grand Marshals of the 34th Annual Queens Pride Parade and Multicultural Festival, taking place Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Jackson Heights, the historic birthplace of Queens Pride.
Commissioner Bonsignore’s selection recognizes her distinguished career in public service and her leadership protecting the people of New York City.
Her participation reflects Queens Pride’s longstanding tradition of honoring leaders whose work embodies courage, service, and commitment to community.
The announcement also marks the unveiling of this year’s theme, “Unstoppable Pride,” reflecting the continued strength, visibility, and resilience of LGBTQ+ communities.
Last year, more than 150,000 people participated in Pride celebrations across Queens and Long Island under the theme Defiant Joy.
This year’s theme builds on that momentum and speaks to the collective power of LGBTQ+ communities in the face of ongoing challenges.
Many political leaders were in attendance that included: Mayor Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York City, Letitia James, New York State Attorney General, `Donovan Richards, Queens Borough President, Jessica González-Rojas Assembly – Assembly District 34, Jessica Tisch New York City Police Commissioner, and many leaders from New York City Council, Antonio Reynoso, Brooklyn Borough President and now running for Congress and so many more.
About: The NY LGBT Network : is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is a home and a voice for LGBT people, their families, and support systems in Long Island and Queens. Our community centers help LGBT people to be themselves, stay healthy, and change the world.
Since 1993, the NY LGBT Network has been building safe, affirming, and connected communities where we all thrive together.
The NY LGBT Network is a leader in creating and implementing solutions to address many of the greatest challenges that LGBT people face today – bullying in our schools, discrimination and harassment, lack of community and socialization, disproportionate burden of HIV, unsafe workplaces, lack of housing and service options for LGBT older adults, and a lack of LGBT-affirming and welcoming community services.
The realities of unsafe spaces and communities for LGBT people drive the organization’s efforts to continue our history of pioneering advocacy and social change.
The NY LGBT Network operates LGBT community centers throughout the expansive Long Island and Queens region to reach and serve as many LGBT people and their families as possible.
More than 30,000 visits are made annually to access the NY LGBT Network’s expansive offerings of social, cultural, health, support, and other programs.
The NY LGBT Network’s community centers are a safe space and life-changing resource for the tens of thousands of LGBT and ally individuals who pass through our doors each year.
Our Centers offer public spaces for people of all ages to relax, hang out, study, work, or simply meet new people – and to access a wide range of LGBT-affirming programs and services offered daily.
Special events and gatherings help to unite Long Islanders and Queens Residents and celebrate the diversity and intersectionality of our communities.
ABOUT QUEENS PRIDE: The Queens Pride Parade and Multicultural Festival is the second oldest and second largest pride parade in New York City. Founded in 1993, it is held annually on the first Sunday in June, in the neighborhood of Jackson Heights.
The parade was founded by Daniel Dromm and co-chaired by Maritza Martinez to raise the visibility of the LGBTQ community in Queens and memorialize Jackson Heights resident Julio Rivera. Queens also serves as the largest transgender hub in the Western hemisphere and is the most ethnically diverse urban area in the world.
See more about 34th Annual Queens Pride Parade and Multicultural Festival-2026, in our World Liberty TV, LGBTQ+ and Political Channels, blogs and who is who? Of the LGBTQ+ photo-galleries, by clicking here.
BY: World Liberty TV Editorial Board
We had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Jessica González-Rojas Assembly Member Running for NY Senate. At Racine’s Restaurant Queens New York.
Who is running for State Senate. I had the pleasure of Meeting Ms. Rojas little over 6 years ago as she was running for Assembly Seat which she won, and did a lot of wonderful things for the community.
We at that time honored Ms.Rojas at the Sherpa Temple during Covid-19 for her humanitarian work for the community. She had her heart in the right place and was helping people when they needed help.
We at World Liberty TV editorial board are happy to endorse her for NY Senate Seat. She is the hardest working women in the Assembly and she will work harder for us in the NY Senate. She deserves your Vote.
Below is some information about Ms. Jessica González-Rojas Assembly Member:
Jessica González-Rojas is running for State Senate because the people of Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and LeFrak City deserve leadership that listens, builds trust, and delivers.
Jessica González-Rojas was elected in 2020 to the New York State Assembly to represent the Queens neighborhoods of Jackson Heights, Corona, East Elmhurst, Astoria, and Woodside. She is a life-long activist and change-maker. Jessica is a nationally-recognized expert on health care reform, gender and racial justice. With a deep understanding of building coalitions on both the grassroots level and within institutions of power, Jessica has achieved significant progress in her time in office on critical issues of improving street safety, combating child poverty, and criminal justice reform.
As the daughter of an immigrant father from Paraguay and a Puerto Rican mother, Jessica is a fierce advocate for people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQIA+ communities. A resident in our community since 1999, Jessica understands that the strength of our Queens community is in its diversity, and holds an unwavering commitment to progressive values. Which is why she has also worked in the fields of disability rights, higher education, and veteran’s health.
During her tenure in the Assembly, Jessica has focused on healthcare reform and access, addressing food insecurity, and expanding access to public transit. As the proud prime sponsor of the Universal School Meals Act, she delivered a historic victory—securing free, healthy breakfast and lunch for every single child in every public school across New York State.
Assembly Member González-Rojas secured $25 million to codify her legislation to establish the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Fund, which provides critical funding to abortion providers and the New York Abortion Access Fund to expand access to reproductive health care for all New Yorkers. As a leader and proponent of securing access to health care for all, she has also passed legislation and secured $8 million for continual health care coverage for children from birth to age 6 enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
She secured $500,000 for the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy for their Sexual and Reproductive Justice Hub, which will support the scholarship, advocacy, and training of the reproductive justice leaders of the future. Locally, she fought for stronger tenant protections, obtaining $140M for NYCHA capital funding and has allocated over $2 million dollars for local schools and community-based organizations.
Safety is a top priority for Assembly Member González-Rojas. In the past year, she was a major champion for the passage of Sammy’s Law, which helps prevent fatal traffic violence and protects all New Yorkers. She also is a strong advocate for crime prevention and victim protections.
Since she assumed office in 2021, Assembly Member González-Rojas has introduced and passed several pieces of legislation on maternal health, transgender rights, transportation access, gun violence prevention, worker protections, healthcare transparency, and more. She has also successfully advocated for funding in the state budget to increase outreach for enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in hard-to-reach communities, assistance for homeowners impacted by Hurricane Ida, and to require private insurers to cover all abortions at no cost to patients.
Assembly Member González-Rojas is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Trafficking and the Board Secretary of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) as the Northeast Region Chair and on the Board of Directors of If/When/How, a national nonprofit network of law students and lawyers committed to reproductive justice.
Before running for office, Jessica served in leadership for over 13 years at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice (formerly the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health), including as Executive Director. The nonprofit is the only national reproductive justice organization dedicated to building power among Latinas to advance the health, dignity, and justice of over 30 million Latinas across the country.
Jessica is currently Adjunct Clinical Professor at the New York University (NYU) School of Law and was an Adjunct Professor at the NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and the City University of New York’s (CUNY) City College. She has taught courses on state government, Latinidad, reproductive rights, gender and sexuality, and political advocacy. She has authored essays in multiple publications on those topics as well.
Assembly Member González-Rojas holds a master’s degree from the NYU Wagner School, with a concentration in Public and Nonprofit Management and Public Policy, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Executive Leadership Program at the Columbia University Business School, and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Boston University, where she graduated cum laude. Jessica lives with her partner and their son in Jackson Heights.
Remember the early voting starts June 13 – 21 2026, and Election Day is June 23 2026.So go out and vote.
To learn more about Jessica González-Rojas Assembly Member, and to donate to her campaign, click here.
Global Hotel Titans from Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham, IHG and Accor Define Hospitality’s Future at the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum “CEO Panel”
Hospitality real estate investment leaders and decision-makers unite to drive innovation and identify new deal opportunities; Conference took place on May 31 – June 2nd in New York.
The 48th annual NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum (NYU IHIF), operated by Questex, a leading information services and event company, in partnership with the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) and its Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, had hospitality leaders from Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham, IHG and Accor participate on the “Global Hospitality CEO Panel: The View from the Boardroom.” At NYU IHIF which took place on May 31 – June 2 at the New York Marriott Marquis in NYC.
On June 1, Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton Worldwide; Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO, Hyatt, Elie Maalouf, CEO, IHG Hotels and Resorts; and Sebastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, Accor .
Shared boardroom perspectives on market dynamics, emerging trends and strategies for adapting to uncertainty. Sara Eisen, Anchor, Closing Bell, CNBC moderated the panel.
“We are excited to welcome this standout lineup of CEOs. Each brings a unique viewpoint and together they will create a dynamic exchange of ideas.
In this must-attend session, attendees gained insight into how they are shaping the industry,” said Alexi Khajavi, Group President, Living and Hospitality, Questex.
“NYU IHIF has served as a premier gathering for global business leaders, industry influencers and professionals for nearly five decades.
We look forward to convening the hospitality ecosystem to share actionable insights on the industry’s trajectory and to provide rich networking opportunities that foster lasting connections,” said Nicolas Graf, Associate Dean of the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality.
Mr Graf will retire this year from his role as Associate Dean of the Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality. Many people at the conference stood up and gave a very warm round of applause, thanking Mr. Graf for his many years of service, we at World Liberty TV, enjoyed his company for 5 years years an honorable man who did so much for the hospitality industry.
We wish him the best in his next adventure in his life.
Other prominent leaders presenting at NYU IHIF included: David Pepper, Chief Development Officer, Choice Hotels, Satya Anand, Group President U.S., Canada and Latin America, Marriott International, Kevin Osterhaus, President Global Lifestyle Brands, Hilton, Claire Wallace, SVP Acquisitions and Development, Pyramid Global Hospitality.
Omer Acar, CEO Raffles and Fairmont, Accor.., María Zarraluqui, SVP, Global Growth & Owner Relations, Hyatt Inclusive Collection, Jonathan Halkyard, Chief Financial Officer, MGM Resorts International, Scott Strictland, Chief Commercial Officer, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, and so much more.
Anthony Scaramucci, Founder and Managing Partner, SkyBridge and Founder and Chairman, SALT delivered the keynote address.
Danny Meyer, Founder and Executive Chairman, Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) received the Jonathan Tisch Active Citizenship Award.
The award celebrates the positive impact and achievements of a leader in the hospitality industry.
“It was an honor to present Danny with the Jonathan Tisch Active Citizenship Award. He is widely respected throughout the hospitality industry and has truly raised the bar with his commitment to prioritizing the experience of both guests and employees.
Additionally, the second edition of BxR – Brand x Residential, which is dedicated entirely to investment, development and strategy within branded residences, was co-located with NYU IHIF for one full day of programming on June 2.
The event will bought together 200 branded residential pioneers and investors to connect, deploy capital and drive developments forward to build iconic branded residences of the future.
Close to 2200 people in attendance, from all over the world in attendance having an involvement in the Hospitality sector, had high level speakers, CEO’s, VIP dinners, Lunches, Receptions throughout New York City, It was the event to be at.
See more about the 48th annual NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum NYC-2026, in our World Liberty TV, Business and Hospitality Channels by clicking here.
