Governor Hochul Issues Proclamation Celebrating Transgender Day of Visibility

Governor Kathy Hochul today issued a proclamation declaring March 31, 2022 Transgender Day of Visibility, celebrating the trans community in New York State and across the country. The Governor also announced that New York State landmarks will be lit pink, white, and light blue tonight, March 31, in celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility and recognized the historic level of representation of openly transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary members of her administration.

"Today we celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility by highlighting the countless contributions that members of the transgender community have made in New York State and across the country," Governor Hochul said. "This day raises awareness of the discrimination faced by transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary people across the world. While lawmakers in other states are passing bills that harm their transgender constituents, I am proud to announce the appointments of four dedicated and qualified public servants of trans experience to work with me in continuing to support the transgender community in its fight for justice, equity and fairness."

The Governor announced the appointments of the following transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary individuals of her administration:

Priya Nair (They/Them) was appointed as the Deputy Chief Diversity Officer. Most recently, Priya served as the Associate Director of Gender Equity for NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public health care system in the United States. Prior to this, Priya was appointed as the Inaugural Edie Windsor, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera New York State LGBTQ Fellow where they served as the policy advisor and project manager to advance the Governor's LGBTQ and diversity initiatives. Before the Executive Chamber, Priya was the LGBTQ Liaison for New York City Council Speakers Melissa Mark-Viverito and Corey Johnson. Priya was named on City & State's "Pride Power 100" list in 2019 and 2020, is a lifelong New Yorker, and holds a BA from Vassar College.

Ron Zacchi (He/They) was appointed as the Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs. Most recently, Ron served as the Director of External Relations for the NYS Division of Human Rights. Ron entered state government through the Empire State Fellows Program and served as Assistant Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). Ron began his career in public service during his decade long work on marriage equality, most notably serving as the Executive Director of Marriage Equality New York (MENY). Ron earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication at Hofstra University and an Executive MPA from the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College, receiving the Hagedorn Scholarship.

Chanel Lopez (She/Her) was appointed as the Deputy Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs. Prior to this role, Chanel served as the Transgender Communities Liaison for the New York City Commission on Human Rights, where she developed and maintained relationships with elected officials and diverse communities and assisted in planning, coordination and implementation of public engagement strategies on behalf of the Commission. Previously, Chanel served as a Youth Counselor for the Ali Forney Center where she worked on creating safe spaces and providing crisis counseling and conflict resolution mediation for homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Chanel earned her High School diploma from Martin Luther King Jr. High School. She has also been the star of three documentaries and was awarded a Certificate of Merit and a Proclamation by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. Chanel was also the first transgender women to be honored by the Dominican Parade Association.

Jenna Frasier (They/She) was selected as the Edie Windsor, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera LGBTQ Fellow. They hope to honor the legacy of the three incredible New Yorkers after whom the fellowship is named. Jenna is a yogi and social worker who is passionate about co-creating spaces of healing and liberation. They helped lead fundraising and digital strategy at I Challenge Myself, an organization that nurtures mind, body, and spirit by introducing New York City public school students to endurance cycling, and coached an LGBTQ+ youth cycling club, the Fearless Flyers. Prior to that, Jenna taught yoga in elementary schools in the South Bronx and Harlem and facilitated community organizing groups with teens across NYC grounded in an anti-racist framework. They received their MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College and a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University.

The landmarks to be lit in celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility include:

• One World Trade Center
• Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
• Kosciuszko Bridge
• The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
• State Education Building
• Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
• Empire State Plaza
• State Fairgrounds - Main Gate and Expo Center
• Niagara Falls
• The "Franklin D. Roosevelt" Mid-Hudson Bridge
• Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
• Albany International Airport Gateway