| |
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are groups of employees who join together in their workplace, based on a common characteristic like ethnicity, gender, age, religious affiliation, etc. Also referred to as fraternal or affinity organizations, ERGs provide support for their members and work to enhance career development and professional networking in the workplace. The Office of Diversity & Inclusion works closely with many of these groups, and maintains a list of UCS-ERGs on the ODI website.
Meet the PRIDE ALLIANCE of the NYS Courts
By Dan Santiago-Stewart
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
The theme for this year’s NYC Pride March is “Strength in Solidarity”—and it is that idea or sense that together, we can make things happen, that prompted the resurgence of the Pride Alliance of the New York State Courts, a few years ago.
The original iteration of the Pride Alliance (the Alliance) was as an organization that encouraged allyship between straight and gay people within the court system. Called the Gay/Straight Alliance, this group was formed in the early 2000s (prior to the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission that was established by former Chief Judge DiFiore in December 2016). Once the Failla Commission began its work, the Alliance took on a less-prominent role. In 2018, Associate Court Clerk R. Lewis Speaks-Tanner, who had been involved with the Alliance previously, felt that something was missing; he sought to revive the group, and with a new name.
L-R: Associate Court Clerk R. Lewis Speaks-Tanner and Court Attorney Alan Gray
lead the Pride Alliance of the NYS Courts.
Alan Gray, a court attorney at the Appellate Division, First Department and a Pride Alliance member, said “Though the work that the Failla Commission was doing was greatly appreciated, it seemed to me that it’s a top-down approach focused on high-level or statewide policy, and making systemic changes that are extremely important.”
As the current President of the Alliance, Lewis added: “I felt that what was missing was a place where court employees across the state, across the system, across titles and departments could be heard, a way for them to be involved, to connect with one another, and make meaningful change. Being a part of the Pride Alliance gives us all a way to have an impact. The Pride Alliance serves both the purpose of doing outreach and education within the court system as well as being a source of camaraderie. A place in the court system where people can feel comfortable, and where they know that they have an ally or a friend.”
Over the past 5 years the Pride Alliance has hosted several events, including the 2022 Pride program “Unapologetically Us” (in partnership with the Office of Diversity & Inclusion) -- a panel discussion with members of our LGBTQ+ court family, and a just-completed Pride month celebration for 2023: “Strength in Solidarity.” The Alliance also sponsored a “Transgender Day of Remembrance” which encouraged a discrimination-free environment for transgender persons, and they’ve co-hosted a few events with other organizations, ranging from library resources and free internet resources for legal research, to a symposium on immigrants’ rights.
“Our membership numbers are growing, and we are hoping that the more we do programs, the more we get out there and help people see we exist, that we are something that you can be a part of, that it will improve our membership,” said Alan. “Right now, I think a lot of our programming is informational, which is extremely important; however, I think as we get bigger, we can start to be advocates. We can start to suggest ‘here’s what we need, here’s what we’re seeing and here's what would be helpful.’ In this way we can start to be helpful to others and actually suggest changes and policies that would make a difference for us.”
“The goal of the Pride Alliance is to help people understand who and what the LGBTQIA+ community is, and why strength in solidarity matters,” said Lewis. “The more programs offered to our staff and colleagues, the better we can illuminate and raise awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues. The hope is that our LGBTQIA+ court family all over the state will feel valued and safe, and know that no matter where you are, it is a safe work environment.”
“It’s a place for everyone across the system without regard to your title, rank, grade, or union status,” said Alan. “We have Judges, attorneys, court officers, court clerks, court interpreters, court administrators, all non-legal staff, that are involved. Everybody is welcome and has a place and opportunity to contribute and make a difference.”
If you would like more information on the Pride Alliance
or want to get involved, please email:
The Pride Alliance of the New York State Courts
And keep an eye out for the Pride Alliance website, which is expected to launch later this summer at: www.pridealliancenyscourts.org
Mission Statement:
“We are The Pride Alliance of the New York State Courts. Our membership consists of present and former Court employees and their allies, of various sexual orientations (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Straight) and various identities (binary, non-binary, other).
We are dedicated to protecting the rights of, and standing with, those who encounter discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Our goal is to make the Court System a more welcoming place for All, especially for LGBTQIA+ individuals, both employees and visitors.
To that end, we support and present programs and gatherings which promote and celebrate LGBTQIA+ culture, identity, and civil rights.”
|
|
