Page 12 - Work Force July-August 2025

July-August 2025 13 13
The Work Force
ALBANY — CSEA sponsored and participated
in the New York State Pride at the Plaza event
held on June 11, 2025, at the Empire State
Plaza in Albany.
Members of the Statewide LGBTQ+
Committee were in attendance to help
celebrate Pride Month. Committee Chair
Chantalise DeMarco addressed the audience
briefly at the beginning of the program,
speaking in support of LGBTQ+ rights and
CSEA’s commitment to advocating for them.
“We proudly stand behind all of our
workers, no matter how they identify,” said
DeMarco.
This is the third year the event has been
held and CSEA has sponsored the event
all three years. This year’s event featured
performances by local drag queens capped
off with performances from Mistress Isabelle
Brooks and Bosco, drag queens who have
appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race and RuPaul’s
Drag Race All Stars. Each year has seen bigger
attendance with this year topping out with
more than 1,000 attendees.
CSEA celebrates Pride at the Plaza CSEA celebrates Pride at the Plaza
“I stand here as a beacon and a light for
others who are in the dark,” said DeMarco.
“And that is I think why all of us are here
today, so that we can proudly shine so that
others can find their way to us.”
— Mathew L. Cantore
CSEA Statewide
Secretary Stacey
Baldwin-Deyo and
Capital Region
activist Michele
Kiuber attend
Pride at the Plaza
in Albany.
From left, CSEA Statewide LGBTQ+ Committee members
Colleen DeWine and Ashley Holt, Committee Chair
Chantalise DeMarco and Committee member Bess Watt
attend Pride at the Plaza in Albany.
CSEA Statewide LGBTQ+ Committee Chair
Chantalise DeMarco jokes with a young man
in the audience during the 2025 Pride at
the Plaza event. Looking on at left is state
General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy.
CSEA Erie County Medical Center
Section President Ebony Rose
marches with the Erie County
Medical Center delegation in the
Buffalo Pride Parade.
CSEA-represented
Niagara Frontier
Transportation Authority
participates in the
Buffalo Pride Parade.
CSEA
marches in
the Buffalo
Pride
Parade
Photos by Sara McNicholas
Erie County Medical Center’s float in
the Buffalo Pride Parade.