In June 2016, 49 people were killed during a shooting spree at the Pulse
nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Today, in honor of Pride Month,
President Biden designated the site a national memorial.
pic.twitter.com/sPRPaTc5Xf

— The Recount (@therecount)
June 25, 2021

Resident Thom Heyer reflects on 2021 Pride Month experienced here on Roosevelt
Island. According to Mr Heyer:

Representation & Visibility Does Matter

When my husband & I left Chelsea, almost 4 years ago to move to
Roosevelt Island, it was with zero regrets. 

We’ve both found Roosevelt Island to be welcoming & full of
possibilities.  

I’ve enjoyed participating with many of the organizations and events on the
island:  Fall For the Arts, Open Doors, RIVAA, RIHS, MSTDA, Cornell
Tech, concerts, community demonstrations & protests. “Showing up”
actually seems to matter when you live in a community the size of
ours. 

In 2019 when RIOC put up rainbow flags for the first time to celebrate Pride
Month, my first thought was ” ’bout time!”

 

But then I stopped being so cynical & started to take in the joy. 

 

Being a 60 year old gay man, I have lived through MANY phases of Queer
identity in NYC.

 

I love going to the Pride Parade every year to see that wonderful range of
“my people” from the ridiculous to the sublime!

 

Granted, it now seems to be a bloated example of capitalism & corporate
America, but I sure missed the parade last year when it was cancelled
because of Covid.

 

I also missed seeing the rainbow flags up last year on Roosevelt Island.

 

I could have used the little bit of comfort I always get from seeing the
rainbow flags.

 

They somehow feel like the community at large saying, “I SEE you & your
Queer life has value to me!”

 

I gave RIOC a free pass last year, because NOTHING was normal.

 

I put two little rainbow flags in a flower pot on my deck overlooking the
Meditation Steps last year.

 

I wanted our local Queer community to know that I saw each and every one of
them!

 

If I looked stupid, at least my heart was in the right place….

 

June arrived this year & WHERE were the rainbow flags?

 

The Queer community has not left the island–I assure you we are still
here! 

 

I finally got around to emailing two members of RIOC who I know.

 

I told them that to be acknowledged one year & then not after that
seemed insensitive at best & insulting at worst.

 

They told me I was correct & assured me it was an oversite.

 

They were scrambling to get some type of representation up by the final
weekend.

 

I’m sure I was not the only one contacting RIOC, but I am thankful that I
can “call them out” & know that they will listen.

 

The people I talked to responded with an open heart.

 

We’ll see what turns up this weekend, because I WILL BE LOOKING! 

 

Please know that representation and visibility DOES matter.

 

We all want to be acknowledged & valued & acknowledging our LGBTQ+
community on Roosevelt Island IS important–

 

“Happy Pride, Everyone!”

The Roosevelt Island
FDR Four Freedoms Park
is recognizing Pride Month this weekend with Drag Queen story hour on
Saturday
and
Sunday. 

… Through storytelling and creativity, DQSH teaches children about
gender diversity and all forms of difference to build empathy and give kids
the confidence to express themselves however they feel comfortable…

Roosevelt Island’s Graduate Hotel is celebrating Pride Month with a Saturday
afternoon of Pop Ups and Sweet Treats:

The newly opened Graduate Roosevelt Island who will be hosting a series of
pop-ups from NYC favorites on Saturday, June 26th including Big Gay Ice Cream,
nail-art and mini manicures from Paint Box, Magic Mix Juicery, a
Pride-inspired floral design from East Olivia. A pop-up shop will also feature
specialty candles by Queer Candle Co., iconic clothing from MessQueen, and
incredibly fun accessories by Smiley Goods, and RatTrapp, Graduate Roosevelt
Island is excited to welcome all, through their brand new doors. 

The hotel’s restaurant, Anything At All, will also be open for breakfast,
lunch and dinner during the festivities.

Grannie Annie’s Bar & Kitchen is displaying the Rainbow Banner.

In 2019, the FDR 4 Freedoms Park celebrated Pride Month by transforming it
monument staircase into NYC’s largest Pride Flag.

The New York City Pride March is not for everyone — “Real pride is not
rainbow capitalism,” one activist said. Here are other ways to celebrate
Pride in NYC this weekend, including the Dyke March and Beers with Queers, a
10K run with beer tastings.https://t.co/tmUBqWAkjJ

— The New York Times (@nytimes)
June 25, 2021

Happy Pride Month