BaBEC Receives Governor’s Proclamation Honoring Black LGBTQ+ Advocacy on Fire Island

(L to R; Iman Lecaire of Trans Asylias, Tomik Dash, Chanel Lopez, and Devin Domingo)

On Sunday, June 18th, during BaBEC’s Juneteenth Fire Island Weekend, each member of our board was honored with an official Governor’s Proclamation from New York State in recognition of our work advocating for Black LGBTQ+ equity and belonging on Fire Island.

These proclamations were presented to us by Chanel J. Lopez, the Deputy Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs for Governor Kathy Hochul. We are grateful to her not only for making the trip to Fire Island but for actively participating in a weekend that was curated with care, intention, and pride by the Black and Brown Equity Coalition of Fire Island.

It means something powerful when our efforts are acknowledged at the state level. We’ve built something that continues to resonate beyond the shores of this island. But let’s be honest: while support from off-island institutions continues to grow, we still face resistance on-island.

Why?

Because we’re doing something new.

Because we’re doing something effective.

Because we refuse to whisper.

BaBEC doesn’t hide behind vague language. We center queer and transgender people of color. We’re building programming that demands more than tolerance—it demands transformation. And that can be uncomfortable for those who are invested in the status quo.

But here’s the truth: change doesn’t wait for comfort. And neither do we.

To everyone who’s walked alongside us, supported our work, amplified our voices, and showed up in community: thank you. Your belief in BaBEC fuels our momentum. Together, we are not just shaping the future of Fire Island—we are the future of Fire Island.

Let’s keep going.