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 2026 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 1, 2026) - The New York State Department of Health is celebrating the kickoff to activities and celebrations that will be taking place across the State during Pride Month in June and throughout the summer. Among the events, New York State Department of Health staff will march in Albany's Capital Pride parade on June 14. State employees will also be welcomed to march with Governor Hochul in the New York City Pride March on June 28.

Pride 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 a time to celebrate the individuals who form New York's diverse LGBTQ+ communities while acknowledging the work that still must be done to address the societal and systemic discrimination that remains persistent in society today," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "The New York State Department of Health is dedicated to uplifting the voices of those within the LGBTQ+ communities and, through our core mission, promoting and protecting the health and well-being for all, building on a foundation of health equity. The Department is proud to participate in the upcoming Pride events across New York State as we continue advancing this mission."

Staff from the Department will be participating in the following Pride 2026 events:

June 10 - 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.

June 13 - 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 14 - Capital Pride 2026 Parade and Festival

  • New York State Department of Health staff will march in the Albany Capital Pride Parade.
  • Staff from the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute's Office of LGBTQ Services; Office of Sexual Health and Epidemiology; and Office of Planning and Community Affairs will have a table offering resources.
  • Parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. and the 2026 Pride Festival begins shortly after.

July 18 -Rochester 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.

August 28 - 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.