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.
“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