Honoring LGBTQ+ History Month: Pride, Service, and the Power of Inclusion

Each October, we celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month—a time to honor the trailblazers, advocates, and everyday heroes whose courage and creativity have shaped New York City. From the Stonewall uprising to the vibrant Pride parades and community organizations that thrive today, the LGBTQ+ movement has helped define the spirit of resilience and openness that makes New York unique.

Recognizing this history is about more than remembrance—it’s about celebrating the diversity, talent, and leadership that LGBTQ+ New Yorkers bring to every corner of our city. Their impact is felt in art, culture, innovation, and especially in public service, where inclusion and empathy drive stronger outcomes for all.

At the Public Engagement Unit (PEU), staff embody these values every day—meeting New Yorkers where they are, listening deeply, and connecting them to critical resources. For many, their lived experiences within the LGBTQ+ community directly inform the compassion and commitment they bring to the job.

For Elise Reynolds, executive program manager at PEU, LGBTQ+ history is an indelible part of her family’s history, with her father having gay and lesbian siblings. Growing up and embracing her own queer identity, she has become grounded in the struggles of others who have fought to exist as their authentic selves. Serving in government has provided a unique perspective and powerful platform as she works on behalf of a broadly diverse community of citizens.

“As a queer person working in government, I know that the government has been on the other side of many of those struggles, whether throwing their loved ones’ ashes on the White House lawn in protest of government neglect during the AIDS epidemic or facing and resisting police brutality at the Stonewall Inn. I also know that I owe every bit of the comfort and ease I feel today to those who have come before me, and that the fight is far from over, particularly for Black and brown queers and for trans kids,” she says.

“These past and present realities motivate the kind of public servant I want to be, one who moves with the utmost care for the people who our government most often harms or overlooks. PEU's outreach work to find vulnerable New Yorkers that slip through the cracks—especially older New Yorkers and people with disabilities—and connect them with services allows me to put this vision of public service into practice.”

For Nishant Makhija, his lived experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community shapes the work he does every day as a leader at PEU.

“The history and impact of LGBTQ+ people in New York reminds me that civil service is about respect for everyone. It makes me think about being a part of programs that support people for housing, health care, and support for families without discrimination,” he stated. “For example, during the asylum seekers project, I reminded myself that New York is a city for everyone with dreams. Many LGBTQ+ people have come to this city looking for a chance, and that history keeps me inspired to keep advocating.”

“Being part of the LGBTQ+ community makes me want to make sure all New Yorkers get respect. Fighting hate crimes, stopping discrimination at work, helping people get housing. This is all part of PEU’s mission to support.”

As we observe LGBTQ+ History Month, we celebrate our colleagues, neighbors, and friends—and recommit to building a city workforce that reflects the vibrant diversity of the New Yorkers we proudly serve.