New York State Department of Health to Celebrate Pride Month in June at Events Across New York State

Department Staff to March in Capital Pride 2025 Parade and Table Events Across New York State

Pride Month Recognizes Contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Communities

Department Reaffirms Commitment to Establishing Affirming and Inclusive Health Care and Eliminating Health Disparities that Impact LGBTQ+ Communities

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 3, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health celebrates the kickoff to Pride Month in June and will be attending several Pride 2025 activities and celebrations across the state during June and in the months ahead. Among the events, New York State Department of Health staff will march in Albany's Capital Pride parade on June 8.

Pride Month is a month-long observance recognizing the contributions of the individuals past and present who comprise the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) communities. In recognition of Pride Month, the New York State Department of Health reaffirms its commitment to establishing affirming and inclusive health care and eliminating health disparities that continue to impact LGBTQ+ communities.

"Pride Month is an important time of year to both celebrate the achievements and contributions of LGBTQ+ communities and acknowledge the historical inequities that are persistent in society today," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "I'm proud of the work of the Department's Office of LGBTQ Services, which is now more important than ever and contributes every day to our core mission to protect and promote health and wellbeing for all. These important events taking place across the state this month and beyond are an opportunity for us to raise up our voices, be seen and heard and to celebrate the vibrancy and resiliency of New York's rich and diverse communities."

Staff from the Department will be participating in the following Pride 2025 events, some of which the Department is proudly sponsoring:

June 7 – Capital Region BIPOC Pride

  • BIPOC Pride celebrates LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC).
  • Staff from the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute's Office of LGBTQ Services; Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology; Partner Services and Office of Planning and Community Affairs will have a table offering resources.

    • June 8 – Capital Pride 2025 Parade and Festival

    • New York State Department of Health staff will march in the parade.
    • Staff from the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute's Office of LGBTQ Services; Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology; Partner Services and Office of Planning and Community Affairs will have a table offering resources.
    • Parade steps off at 11:30 a.m.
    • Pride Festival begins shortly after.

    June 11 – Pride at the Plaza

    • Event to be held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Kraig Pannell, Director, Office of LGBTQ Services within the AIDS Institute will deliver remarks.

    July 18 – ImageOUT Pride Film

    • The New York State Department of Health staff will be in attendance.

    July 19 –Rochester Pride Festival

    • Staff from the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute's Office of LGBTQ Services; Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology; Partner Services and Office of Planning and Community Affairs will have a table offering resources.

    August 13–27 – New York City Black Pride

    • Staff from the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute's Office of LGBTQ Services; Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology; Partner Services and Office of Planning and Community Affairs will have a table offering resources.
    • Kraig Pannell, Director, Office of LGBTQ Services within the AIDS Institute will participate in a panel on August 13 titled "Healthcare is a Human Right."

    August 22 – New York State Fair LGBTQ Day

    • Staff from the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute's Office of LGBTQ Services; Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology; Partner Services and Office of Planning and Community Affairs will have a table offering resources.

    The New York State Department of Health remains committed to collaboration with its state and local partners, including community-based organizations, to eliminate health disparities and to protect and promote health and well-being for all New Yorkers, on a foundation of health equity.

    To learn more about the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute's Office of LGBTQ Services programs and priorities, visit Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Services.

    More information about the Department's Office of Health Equity and Human Rights can be found here.