Pride proclamation celebrates inclusion in Somers

SOMERS, N.Y. - The Somers Town Board officially recognized Pride Month at its June 11 meeting.

The annual celebration is held to commemorate the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, a series of demonstrations and riots by the LGBTQ+ community that began with a raid on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.

Although it wasn’t the first time folks had fought back against government-sponsored persecution of sexual minorities, it remains one of the most iconic.

Protests lasted for six days and served as the catalyst for the modern gay rights movement, according to Somers resident Mark Koppel.

In the 1960s, homosexual acts were illegal in most states, but not, he said, in New York.

However, under the state Liquor Authority, establishments could lose their licenses if they permitted their premises to become “disorderly,” and because the mere presence of homosexuals was considered to be de facto disorderly, bartenders could not legally serve gay people, Koppel explained.

Police routinely targeted and harassed gay bars, which were often operated by the Mafia.

Authorities were paid off to look the other way, but every once in a while, they had to conduct a raid for “appearances’ sake,” Koppel said.

Unlike previous raids, where bar owners were tipped off or patrons cooperated quietly, the Stonewall crowd decided that it had “had enough,” he said.

When one of the officers struck a woman while forcing her into a police van, the crowd fought back by throwing coins, bottles, stones, and debris.

It wasn’t so much a reaction to the police, but a protest against an onerous law, Koppel said.

In Stonewall’s aftermath, numerous new civil rights groups, such as the Gay Liberation Front, were formed.

A year later, activists organized a march up Christopher Street that morphed over time into the annual Pride parades now held around the world.

In 1999, the Stonewall Inn was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and in 2016 the area surrounding it was designated by President Barack Obama as the “Stonewall National Monument.”

THE PROCLAMATION

The Pride Month proclamation was read by Supervisor Robert Scorrano.

“Whereas these individuals have enriched our community through their talents, services, creativity, leadership, and diverse perspectives, helping strengthen the social, cultural and civic fabric of our town, and;

Whereas, June is recognized as Pride Month in honor of the Stonewall Uprising of June, 1969, in New York City, a pivotal moment in the movement for the LGBTQ plus community and civil rights and equality in the United States, and;

Whereas, Pride Month provides an opportunity to celebrate progress towards equal rights, recognition, and the ongoing pursuit of dignity and inclusion for all people, and to reaffirm the commitment to treating every individual with respect and fairness;

Now therefore be it resolved the town of Somers hereby recognizes and celebrates the month of June 2026 as Pride Month.

It also affirms its commitment to fostering and welcoming an inclusive community where all individuals are valued and respected regardless of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, culture, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that contributes to the diversity of a community, and;

Be it further resolved that the town of Somers embraces the principle that all people are created equal and deserve an opportunity to live work and thrive free from discrimination.”

VIGILANCE REQUIRED

Thanking the town for again taking an official stand, Koppel noted that while much progress has been made, there’s still a “tremendous amount” of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in America.

He pointed to a recent remark attributed to Andy Ogles, a Republican congressman from Texas, who faced bipartisan condemnation earlier in the month after a post appeared on one of his social media accounts that stated: “Homosexuality has no place in America. Happy Nuclear Family Month.”

According to media reports, Ogles took down the post, calling it “stupid” and “hurtful,” and blamed a communications staff member.

The statement coincided with a resolution signed by Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee designating June as "Nuclear Family Month" in the state.

There was immediate and rare backlash from fellow Republican lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), who blasted the post as “absolutely idiotic” and “offensive,” according to media reports.

(Somers is part of the congressman’s 17th District.)

It’s evidence, Koppel said, that he and other members of the LGBTQ+ community, and everyone who believes in equal rights, have to remain “vigilant.”

To anyone who might question the need for Pride Month, he had this to say.

“It’s as Bob said, it's celebrating the heritage of a group,” he said, emphasizing that it wasn’t “a call for special rights.”

“As we say in the Pledge of Allegiance, and as you point out so nicely in the proclamation, with liberty and justice for all. That’s what we pledge. That’s what’s in the Constitution --sometimes it’s not always enforced, but that’s what this is about,” Koppel said.

“It’s a wonderful feeling for me to be here every year and to know that I, and people like me, are supported so wonderfully by this town. I really appreciate it on behalf of all of us. So thank you,” he added.