DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — The Kings County Surrogate’s Court and the New York State LGBTQ+ Judges Association presented “All Rise with Pride,” a program in honor of Pride Month, the afternoon of June 17, at 2 Johnson St.
The event’s highlight, the inaugural presentation of The Milsap Award, the brainchild of Hon. Dale Fong-Frederick, honored Hon. Michael R. Milsap, the first openly gay African American man appointed to the judiciary in New York City.
From left: Hon. Rosemarie Montalbano, Hon. David Fried, Hon. Dale Fong-Frederick, Hon. Michael R. Milsap and Hon. Bernard Graham. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Milsap is a prominent figure in New York’s Family Court system and has served as a judge of the Bronx County Family Court since 2015. He was appointed to the bench by Mayor Bill de Blasio in February 2015.
Hon. Richard Tsai, who is openly gay, was also recognized. Tsai is a New York City Civil Court judge in New York County who has served on the bench for more than nine years with his current term beginning in 2018 and set to end in 2027.
Hon. Michael R. Milsap addresses the audience. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Opening remarks were provided by Hon. Rosemarie Montalbano and Hon. Bernard Graham and followed by a historical perspective of LGBTQ+ Caribbean history by Fong-Frederick.
A fireside chat, moderated by Hon. Carolina Holderness, featured Tsai and Milsap. The judges spoke about their experiences coming of age as gay men, ascending to the bench, challenges faced and obstacles overcome in the courthouse.
Milsap called it an “absolute honor” to be recognized. “I think that I’ve always approached my life and my profession in terms of living my truth — being the best that I can be but never denying who I was,” he said.
From left: Hon. Rosemarie Montalbano, Hon. Richard Tsai, Hon. David Fried, Hon. Dale Fong-Frederick, Hon. Caroline Piela Cohen and Hon. Bernard Graham. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Milsap stated that one of the main reasons he became a judge was to serve in a system where people who came into the courthouse looked like him.
“Being a gay man, I never believed or had to wear the gay flag on my shoulder or around me,” Milsap said. “I had to just represent. Every day that I appeared on the bench, where people came before me, I tried to be true, fair and judicious in terms of making determinations. To me, this award reflects and represents the fact that I’ve been so true to my character, my belief and the people that I’ve served.”
Hon. Richard Tsai speaks. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Tsai said that he felt humbled to share his award with Milsap, whose achievements he called “remarkable.”
“I often have had to choose between being an Asian person or being a gay person around this time of year,” Tsai said. “In May, there is Asian Pacific Heritage Month, and in June, of course, is Pride Month. Today, I am not making a choice; instead, I am living as a complete and authentic person.”
Attorney Ronald Cosme Jr., co-chair of the Brooklyn Bar Association’s LGBTQ+ Committee, closed out the program, thanking Milsap and Tsai for opening up proverbial doors and inspiring so many. “Events like this remind us of all of the trailblazers whose shoulders that we stand on,” Cosme said.
Pride Month is an annual observance held each June to celebrate the contributions, history and culture of the LGBTQ+ community.
A fireside chat was also part of the program, from left: Hon. Richard Tsai, Hon. Carolina Holderness and Hon. Michael R. Milsap. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
Hon. Richard Montelione, left, and Hon. Michael R. Milsap. Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle
The New York State LGBTQ+ Judges Association serves as a vital organization for LGBTQ+ judges, providing a platform for advocacy, education and community building. The association aims to foster a supportive environment for its members and promote awareness of LGBTQ+ issues within the legal system.
Kings County Surrogate’s Court is the specialized court for Brooklyn, handling probate, estate, guardianship and adoption matters. It is served by Montalbano and Graham.