Integrity NYC-Metro Congratulates Erik Bottcher on NY Cabinet Seat

Members of the Integrity NYC-Metro steering committee were pleased to learn yesterday that Erik Bottcher, most recently the LGBT/HIV community liaison to New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, has been named to the cabinet of New York's recently-elected governor, Andrew Cuomo, as Special Assistant for Community Affairs, a new position.

"I've worked with Erik Bottcher--a fellow activist and New York City Council staffer--quite often over the past couple of years," said Integrity NYC-Metro Steering Committee member Michael Mallon, who is on the staff of Council Member Daniel Dromm. "Erik proved himself to be a tireless advocate for the LGBT community during his tenure as LGBT Liaison for NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn; I know he will continue the stellar work as a member of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's cabinet."

Bottcher, 31, is a native of Wilmington, N.Y., and a graduate of George Washington University. He was recently named to City Hall's "Rising Stars" list of 40 influential people under the age of 40.

Michael Mallon and Erik Bottcher at the "We Will Not Be Silent"
Community Rally in 2009

A Hate Crime and the National Equality March

[Province II] - WASHINGTON, DC/COLLEGE POINT, NY - Members of Integrity from several chapters in Province II attended the National Equality March in DC on Sunday 11 Oct. Representatives from Integrity Rochester and Integrity NYC met with delegates from Province III and Integrity DC to march together. There was a notable amount of Episcopalians throughout the crowd, and Integrity Vice-President of Local Affairs Neil Houghton, was one of the religious delegates noted at the Invocation given at the beginning of the program. An audible cheer went up from the Episcopalians when Neil was announced.

Chap Day, Province II Coordinator for Integrity USA attended with a group of activists from Queens NY, including Integrity NYC members from Queens, the Gay Peruvians, Queens Pride Committee, the ISO, and at-risk LGBTQ homeless youth who are in a program called Generation Q, as well as with Daniel Dromm, the openly gay District Leader of 39th Assembly District A, and a Democratic nominee for New York City Council, Distict 25.

"This event was one for local organizers to get motivated and empowered. The youth who attended from Queens NY saw community organizing at its best. They got to interact with positive forces on all levels from IntegriyNYC, to elected officials like Danny Dromm, and to celebrities like Cynthia Nixon and Lady Gaga. The message was one for those who will be taking the baton and need to be told that they can make a difference for the good," commented Micheal Mallon, a member of IntegrityNYC and Queens Pride Committee.

It was disheartening, that the delegation from IntegrityNYC returned home to learn that on Friday night a hate crime had occurred in College Point, Queens. A 49 year old gay man was beaten late Friday night/early Saturday morning, and is now in a medically induced coma. His family did not release the information until Monday. Organizers from Integrity NYC, Daniel Dromm's office, the ISO, Queens Pride, the Gay Peruvians, and Generation Q who met to organize for DC are now working together for a Vigil and local action.

"It is upsetting that this is the type of event we're now having to organize for; the high of empowerment on Sunday, and now the low of demoralizing hate and fear the next, and this is why our mission is so important," remarked Chap Day.

Attached Photo by Jon Nally (iNYC).

L-R: Paul Lane, David Casey, Michael Mallon, The Hon. Daniel Dromm, Brendan Spillane, Chap Day, Omar Olaya

iNYC Celebrates Strides at General Convention

IntegrityNYC hosted a Solemn Eucharist at St. Luke in the Fields Church in Manhattan's historic Greenwich Village. About 60 people from across New York City and New Jersey gathered in thanksgiving for the strides made this summer by the Episcopal Church's General Convention on LGBTQ issues.

The Rt. Rev. Catherine Roskam, Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of New York, presided; David Casey (Grace), Convener of IntegrityNYC, preached; The Rev Hugh Grant, Curate, and The Rev Caroline Stacey, Rector (St. Luke's) assisted; The Rev. Dn. Kent Curtis (All Saints), served as Deacon; The Altar Guild and Acolyte Guild of St. Luke's offered their time and talents in the service; Shauna Leeks (St. Barts) and Michael Cudney (Holy Apostles and iNYC Steering Committee) read the lessons. Ms. Leeks, Wayne Seifried (Ascension), Chap Day (St. Luke's, iNYC Steering Committee, and Province II Coordinator Elect), and Michael Mallon (St. Luke's and iNYC Steering Committee) served as Ushers; and John Bradley (St. Lukes and Polyhymia) and David Shuler (St. Luke's) provided music.

"America is not the same place it was 50 years ago...or even 10 years ago; and neither is the Episcopal Church" proclaimed David Casey. "When we get All the Sacraments for All the Baptized, we will still not be done! We will still have to deal with homophobia and hetero-sexism in the same way that Women in the Church are still facing Sexism and People of Color in the Church are still facing racism." pulling from the Gospel of Mark, David pointed to the marginalized youth, especially those outside of the Church who will still need our help, support and love.

A collection was taken in honor of "The Church". The Church is a ministry offered by St. Luke's to the LGBTQA Youth in Greenwich Village. Greenwich Village is a destination for thousands of LGBTQA young people who come from all over the city and beyond looking for a safe place to express themselves without fear of homophobic violence or moral condemnation. In 2001, St. Luke’s began opening their doors to these young people on Saturday nights by offering a hot meal, workshops in the visual and performing arts, and the services of social workers and caring adult volunteers. Today the program serves 20-30 young people each week and more than 600 youth ages 14-21 are currently enrolled. The Reverend Mary Foulke, who oversees the program, estimates that at least 1/3 of the attendees are homeless.

An intimate reception followed in St. Luke's Laughlin Hall. Pictures were taken by Jon Nally.

The Rev. Hugh Grant and David Casey greet attendees.

The iNYC Steering Committee and Bishop Roskam
L-R: Chap Day, David Casey, The Rt. Rev. Catherine Roskam, Michael Cudney, Marlin Mattson, and Michael Mallon (not pictured Rachel Furer, Dale McNeil)

"We Will Not Be Silent" Community Rally in Jackson Heights

iNYC was a co-sponsor of the We Will Not Be Silent Community Rally in Jackson Heights. Our very own Michael Mallon attended the event. There were many other community organizations and organizers. There were about 200 people including politicians showing support and showing solidarity denouncing the acts of violence faced by the trans community in New York City.

Want to read more about the Transgendered Episcopal movement? Why not check out TransEpiscopal!

Here are a few pictures from the Rally. If you click on the images, they will enlarge.

Michael Mallon, Father Louis Braxton, Jr (Carmen's Place) Brendan Fay (Civil Marriage Trail Project), Melissa Sklarz (SDNYC), Jeremiah Frei-Pearson (WQfME, LICA), Jennifer Gamper (Carmen's Place), Marisa Ragonesa (Generation Q)and other organizers

Mark Elyaqim Mosheh Adam (OUT Astoria), Gary Paul Gilbert (LGDCQ), Sebastain Maguire (QLGPC), Robert Pinter (Stop the False Arrests Campaign), & Michael Mallon (QLGPC, SDNYC, iNYC, & OUT Astoria)

Deirde Feerick (City Council Candidate) and Brendan Fay (founder of Civil Marriage Trail Project)

Michael Mallon and Erik Bottcher from the New York City Council

Rally for Marriage Equality Event

The Rally for Marriage Equality in Astoria was amazing. The NYC Parks estimated the attendance at 2500 people! Several Episcopalians were guest speakers including Father Louis Braxton, Jr (Carmen's Place), Lauren Marcewicz & Caroline Peacock (St. Luke in the Fields), and Chap Day & Michael Mallon (St. Luke in the Fields, iNYC, and OUT Astoria). There were also many politicians and community organizers. iNYC is a constitutent member of Western Queens for Marriage Equality (WQfME), and was a co-sponsor of this Rally. The NYS Senate is scheduled to vote on Marriage Equality this session, but the Senator from Astoria (George Onorato) says he will not vote in favor of Marriage Equality, despite his district having a large number of LGBT citizens and overwhelming support for Marriage Equality.

Here are some pictures.

2500 people in support of marriage equality

Lauren Marcewicz and Caroline Peacock (St. Luke in the Fields), and their daughter are residents of Astoria asking for marriage equality of their senator, George Onorato.

That's a lot of people

Father Louis Braxton, Jr (Carmen's Place) has been an outspoken LGBT cleric from the Episcopal Church in the Astoria area. Carmen's Place is an LGBT youth homeless shelter in Astoria. Last year several of the youth were attacked on the street, and Father Braxton stepped in to help them and was hit with a garbage can by the perpatrators.

Michael Mallon and Chap Day, both members of the iNYC Steering Committee live in Astoria and are members of OUT Astoria, an LGBT social network.

Welcome Back BBQ Photos

There was quite a showing at St. Luke in the Fields for the Welcome Back BBQ. Despite the threat of rain, we had a grand time. Thanks to St. Luke in the Fields for hosting the event, and especially to Paul Lane and the LGBT Life Committee at St. Luke's.

Here are some photos.

Paul Lane

Jacob Miles and Michael Mallon

Rachel Furer, Stephen McFadden, Paul Lane, David Casey

Jacob Miles, Michael Mallon, Marlin Matteson, Weiban Wang, Rachel Furer

Tea With Susan Russell Photos

There was an amazing crowd at Jacob's apartment. Afterward, several people joined the Steering Committee for an impromptu dinner with Susan Russell. Here are a couple photos for your enjoyment. We were also joined by Neil Houghton, VP for Northeast Region from Integrity USA.

It is hard to tag the people below, but Chap Day, Elizabeth Jacobs, Winnie Varghese +, Jacob Miles, Michael Mallon, Neil Houghton, David Casey, Susan Russell +, and Mark Hummell + are among those below.

Present Day Experiences of Gay Christians in Kenya and Nigeria - Follow Up

This event was very informative, and well attended by a large mix of people. David Casey, Chap Day, and Michael Mallon were among the iNYC attendees. Davis MacIyalla spoke earlier that day at St. Luke in the Fields.

Here is an official statement from Davis' experience in New York as told to Steve Parelli by Mac-Iyalla, February 27, 2008, Bronx, NY

How I came to be invited to speak at The Riverside Church
When I told Steve I was coming through NYC on my way to a speaking engagement I had in California, and that I would like to stay with him a couple days, he arranged with Maranatha, the LGBT group at The Riverside Church, a forum on The Present-day experiences of Gay Christians in Kenya and Nigeria. I have known Other Sheep since 2006 when I first met Steve in Geneva, Switzerland. Subsequently, I spent a brief time with Steve in 2007 when I came to the United States for a tour. When Other Sheep and Maranatha invited me to speak as a panelist at a forum to be held at The Riverside Church, I was honored, and did not hesitate to accept their
invitation.

The panel participants and what we talked about
The event was a success. Emmanuel Kamau of Kenya and Jose Ortiz of the States, who spent last July and August in Kenya, joined me as panelists. Together, we shared with our American counterpart what it is like to be gay and Christian in a hostile environment.

My gratitude to Other Sheep and Maranatha; special thanks to Steve and Jose for their hospitality
I am grateful to Other Sheep and Maranatha for the opportunity to speak. I am also grateful for the offering they took on my behalf. Too, I want to express my gratitude for the hospitality Steve and Jose showed my while I was here by keeping me in their home, providing for my daily needs, and for seeing me to and from the airport.

My second visit to St. Luke's in the Field
In addition to The Riverside Church meeting, I was able to worship and speak in St. Luke's in the Field in the Village, Manhattan. I spoke here in 2007 and so I was returning to be with friends I had made there on my previous visit. It was wonderful to be with them again. They are so loving
and welcoming. I will always want to return and visit again St. Luke's in the Field.

Davis accompanied iNYC's Chap, Michael, and Tim Martin to dinner following the event.

A full account of the Event can be found on the Other Sheep & Maranatha Riverside website.