In 1999, on the 30th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, President Bill Clinton officially designated June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. Later in 2009, President Barack Obama expanded the recognition to include Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender communities in Pride Month. For Americans it provides an opportunity to acknowledge and honor the LGBTQIA community’s fight for equality and to foster support and understanding in the future. In our Catskill mountains community an organization, Catskills Pride has for the past ten years promoted a variety of essential health and wellness programs supporting LGBTQIA people and their allies in our communities. Programs targeting local health resources and medical treatment for the uninsured and insured, telemedicine, the availability of the first transgender suicide hotline called Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860, fostering the Gilead Advancing Access Programs and the NYS PrEP Assistance Program getting medications to treat HIV and AIDS and mental health services. 

In addition to health services, Catskills Pride support our local communities by sponsoring voter registration drives, summer camp scholarships for kids, the Boys and Girls Club of Wallkill with clothing, household items and toys at Christmas, and has a Lifesaver Program that provides emergency financial assistance for their members facing challenges with housing, personal emergency expenses and tuition needs. The Board of Directors of Catskills Pride work hard to provide a safe space to inspire and connect the LGBTQIA community members in Sullivan County.

On Saturday, June 21, Catskills Pride will be celebrating their ten-year anniversary with a fabulous event “Catskills Pride Award Winners” with five extraordinary individuals being recognized for their professional and community accomplishments with some very familiar names among the honorees . 

Our Town of Highland Supervisor, John Patrick Pizzolato will be honored with the Community Leader Award for his many accomplishments in guiding our Town through some very perilous times. The Ally of the Year Award will honor Susan Mendoza, the Artistic Director and Founder of Flirty Riot NY. The Artistic Achievement Award will honor John Bubba and Franklin Trapp of the Forestburg Playhouse who have given superb theatre entertainment to our county for decades. The excellence in business award will be presented to Martin Higgins and Charles Wilkins of the amazing 2 Queens Tea and Coffee Company. The Activism Award will honor Ms. Bell Pepper for her advocacy in forwarding LGBTQIA legislation and campaigns. It is truly amazing to see such an impressive array of accomplished individuals across the spectrum of business, public service, the arts, and entertainment be recognized in such a special manner.

 The Awards Ceremony will take place at the Seminary Hill Hotel & Restaurant located at 43 Wagner Lane, Callicoon starting at 5pm. Tickets to the Awards Ceremony are $75. 

The celebration continues the next day Sunday June 22 (an after party) with an UP & OUT Pool Party benefit at the Blue Fox Motel. Tickets for the Pool Party are $30. Tickets for both events may be purchased at CatskillsPride.com. Omar Osbourne told me “As President of Catskills Pride, now more than ever, I believe it is vital that we recognize and honor the extraordinary achievements of LGBTQIA individuals within our community. Celebrating these award winners not only acknowledges their hard work and dedication but also fosters a culture of inclusion and respect. By highlighting their accomplishments, we inspire future generations and reaffirm our commitment to equality and diversity. Our community prospers when every voice is valued and celebrated, empowering us all to strive for a brighter and more inclusive future.”