Gov. Hochul headlined LGBT Bar Association of NY’s Gala & Community Excellence Awards

May 26, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

Gov. Kathy Hochul was the distinguished recipient of the Community Vision Award at the LGBT Bar NY's Sapphire Anniversary Gala held on May 25th, 2023. Her tireless advocacy for a more inclusive New York was celebrated at this prestigious event. Eagle file photo by Robert Abruzzese.

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The LGBT Bar Association Foundation of New York hosted their sparkling Sapphire Anniversary Gala & Community Excellence Awards on May 25th at the renowned Tribeca Rooftop. The event, celebrating the association’s 45th anniversary, delivered an unforgettable evening of dinner, drinks, dancing, and awe-inspiring panoramic views of Manhattan and the Hudson River.

The Annual Gala played a crucial role in funding the LGBT Bar NY Foundation’s various charitable and educational initiatives. These included pro bono legal clinics, LGBT Law Notes, the Law Student Career Fair, the Judicial Fellowship Program, among other activities that support the LGBTQ+ legal community and the public at large.

This year, the association was honored to recognize Governor Kathy Hochul as the Community Vision Awardee. Governor Hochul, the 57th and first female Governor of New York State, has an impressive record in public service. Known for her fierce advocacy, Governor Hochul has driven significant policies and initiatives to uplift New Yorkers and their families while fostering a more robust and inclusive economy.

Governor Hochul has also championed historic investments in healthcare workers, small businesses, working families, infrastructure, education and workforce development. In response to recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions undermining abortion rights and common-sense gun regulations, Governor Hochul boldly stepped up to protect reproductive healthcare and strengthen gun safety laws.

LGBT Bar NY also presented its 2023 Community Excellence Awards to Kate L. Doniger, Esq., Hon. James L. Hyer, and Taylor D. James, Esq. These distinguished individuals were honored for their unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and their exceptional achievements in the legal profession.

Professor Emeritus Arthur S. Leonard was honored. Leonard, one of the founding figures of the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York, was celebrated for his courage and service to the LGBTQ+ legal community, particularly through his continued work as the Editor-in-Chief and lead writer of LGBT Law Notes. His dedication to providing comprehensive coverage of legal developments affecting the LGBTQ+ community was celebrated, marking him as a key figure in the Association’s 45-year history.