to LGBTQ adults, has dedicated
much of her life to providing free
mental health services to the LGBTQ
“This award not only honors me,
but the organization Identity House,
the little non-profi t that could,” she
said. “We couldn’t have dreamed in
1971 that we would reach our 50th
anniversary this year, where volunteer
peer counselors and psychotherapists
spend countless hours
to provide mental health services to
the gay and lesbian community, the
LGBTQ+ now.”
Looking back on her career,
Zevy says the award is not only
a testament to her work, but the
contributions of others who often
go unrecognized for their impact
on the LGBTQ community and society
“We are the silent activists, and
I’m so pleased to accept this award
for all,” she said.
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and to be their true selves,” Desmond
Is Amazing said. “Be yourself
always no matter what anyone
says and pay the haters no mind
because they will never be as fi erce
as you and I.”
Friend’s Tavern co-owners Eduardo
“Eddie” Valentin and Casimiro
Villa were the recipients of the
Small Business Award, presented
by TD Bank.
The evening’s presenters included
Todd Canning, who is the
director of Clinical Services for
the Partnership In Care Program
at MetroPlus Health, and Steven
Garibell, a vice president at TD
Bank.
To cap off the evening, Gay City
News honored Identity House cofounder
Lee Zevy with the Lifetime
Achievement Award, presented by
MetroPlus Health. Through her
work with Identity House, which
provides volunteer counseling
community.
at large.
Julian Bannister, out LGBTQ co-founder of New Beginning Cleaners,
an eco-friendly home cleaning company.
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Lee Zevy, an LGBTQ activist and co-founder of the Identity House,
recalls the importance of her work.
that can no longer go on,” Blackwell
said. “Please fi nd ways to get
involved and help the community.”
Tarik Carroll, the director of The
EveryMan Project, an organization
that empowers cis and trans men
through body positivity, praised
Amida Care, a non-profi t community
health plan serving many New
Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS, for
backing the group’s efforts.
“I am immensely grateful to be
honored at this year’s Gay City
News Impact Awards,” Carroll said.
The award ceremony also spotlighted
legendary drag kid and LGBTQ
advocate Desmond is Amazing,
who received the Inspiring
Leadership Award, presented by
Breed Evolution Corp. While accepting
the award, Desmond offered
a message of hope for the
audience.
“I do love being a leader and leading
other people to be authentic
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➤ IMPACT AWARDS, from p.18
young people from the harms of
homelessness… lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer, or
questioning youth who are thrown
out into the streets simply because
of who they are,” Roque said. “Being
honored and sharing the stage
with so many amazing leaders and
individuals helps to elevate those
stories, our voices, and the important
work that we do.”
Troy Blackwell, an LGBTQ advocate
and director of Ready for
Change, a political action committee,
used his time at the podium
to emphasize the importance of
registering to vote. He also echoed
Roque’s comments in bringing attention
to homelessness among
LGBTQ youth.
“Of the homeless population in
the United States, 40 percent are
LGBTQ youth. That is something
Stephanie M. Frierson, a registered nurse at Brooklyn Plaza Medical
Center (Rising Heights).
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Elisa Crespo, the executive director of New Pride Agenda, speaks
about LGBTQ rights at the cocktail party.
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David Flugman of Selendy & Gay PLLC.
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Honorees Brian Romero (left) and TS Candii (right) celebrate the
evening’s honorees.
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Gay City News founding editor Paul Schindler receives a plaque.
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Eduardo “Eddie” Valentin of Friend’s Tavern speaks at the reception.
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The team at MetroPlus Health Plan.
GayCityNews.com | November 18 - 24, 2021 19
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