DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — The Second Judicial District Equal Justice Committee and the Brooklyn Bar Association LGBTQ+ Committee recently joined forces to host its third annual program in honor of Pride Month.
The event took place the afternoon of June 11 at Kings County Supreme Court, Criminal Term in Courtroom 2.85 and featured remarks from the several awardees.
Hon. Joanne Quinones and Hon. Adam Silvera. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Several were honored, including Shain Filcher, director of operations of the office of general counsel at the New York State Division of Human Rights, and Ro Pena, co-founder and director of programming at Trans formative Schools. A surprise award was given to New York City Courts Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Adam Silvera.
Silvera was visibly surprised upon being acknowledged. “I did not expect this,” he said.
From left: Hon. Richard Montelione, Ronald Cosme Jr., Esq., Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of New York City Courts Adam Silvera and Hon. Joanne Quinones. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Silvera said Pride Month is personal. “When people come before this institution, they deserve to know that who they are is not a liability. They are welcomed here,” he said. “Those who walk through our courthouse doors deserve to see themselves reflected in this institution, entrusted with safeguarding their rights. Our work is not yet finished, but rooms like this one, full of people like you on such a joyous occasion, demonstrate how far we have come.”
Hon. Joanne Quinones, chair of the Second Judicial District Equal Justice Committee, noted that the event’s theme, “For All of Us,” is a direct reference to Marcia P. Johnson, a queer rights pioneer and a central figure in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. Johnson once said, “There is no pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.”
Hon. Matthew D’Emic, administrative judge for Criminal Matters in the Kings County Supreme Court, also spoke.
“We must recognize that justice requires that every person be treated fairly,” he said. “As a court family, we must always recognize that every person feels as if they belong.”
Kings County Supreme Court Administrative Judge Genine Edwards said equality and exclusivity are about more than values. “Equality means ensuring that every person has access to the same opportunities, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances,” she said. “It’s about creating a court where every person feels welcomed, respected and empowered to contribute.”
Shain Filcher, director of operations in the office of general counsel in New York State Division of Human Rights, left, alongside Ronald Cosme Jr., Esq. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Pride Month is an annual observance held each June to celebrate the contributions, history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community. It is also a time to recognize the ongoing pursuit of equal rights and inclusion. Pride Month is marked by parades, educational programs, community events and celebrations that promote queer visibility and support.
The observance traces its roots to the Stonewall Uprising, a series of demonstrations that followed a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. The events became a catalyst for the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States and beyond. One year later, the first Pride marches were held to commemorate the uprising, and over time, these events grew into the annual Pride Month celebrations observed worldwide.
From left: Ronald Cosme Jr., Esq.; Ro Pena, co-founder and director of programming at Trans formative Schools; and Hon. Richard Montelione. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
The Brooklyn Bar Association LGBTQ+ Committee is a group within the Brooklyn Bar that works to promote inclusion, education and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community among legal professionals in Brooklyn and beyond. It serves as a platform for lawyers, legal students and allies to address the legal and social issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals while fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of the legal community.
Hon. Richard Montelione speaks. He was among the first openly gay male judges to serve on the Brooklyn bench. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
The mission of the Second Judicial District Equal Justice Committee is to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of all court users, including litigants, court staff and the general public. Its purposes include supporting and encouraging a bias-free environment that reflects, recognizes and respects the rich diversity of the judiciary; improving existing court services to meet the needs of communities; fostering partnerships and creating opportunities for dialogue between community organizations and courts to increase the public’s trust and confidence; providing employees and community members with a meaningful opportunity to be heard; implementing procedures that support fair and unbiased outcomes; increasing opportunities and services for non-judicial employees; promoting diverse hiring practices and opportunities for advancement across all titles in the court system; and educating the court and the public on the significance of a diverse and inclusive environment.