“ This is a great thing and I’m surprised we haven’t done it before.” “ I’m very proud to represent AHRC today,” Carleen Smith, Community Support Supervisor at Betty Pendler Day Services, said. It was an inspiring day for many AHRC NYC staff members. Guests also used the time to create rainbow-colored signs for the parade with slogans such as “RESPECT,” “KINDNESS,” “UNITY,” and “Proud to Be Me!” Marchers then walked up to the parade meeting spot together at around 5:00 p.m. Sandwiches and snacks were available to fuel up for the march. May Day Services, DJed the party, spinning dance classics from LGBTQ icons such as Cher’s “ Believe” and Sylvester’s “ You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real).” Hayden Nero, Client Service Coordinator at William F.

March attendees, who included staff members, family members, and people supported from all five boroughs, began the day with a pre-parade party at Employment and Business Services-Manhattan. The route snaked towards Christopher Street and West 8th Street before concluding on 29th Street and Fifth Avenue. Gerald Johnson, self advocate, with Steve Williams, AHRC NYC’s Diversity Officer and Employee Relations ManagerĪHRC NYC began its march in the late afternoon, starting on 15th Street between and 8th and 9th Avenues before heading down into Greenwich Village, the cradle of the LGBTQ rights movement.