MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Legislature passed its first-ever official Pride proclamation.

It recognizes the right of every citizen to equality and freedom “regardless of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, military status, sex, marital status, or disability.”

The proclamation further says the county “commits to advocating for a fair and equitable society, free from institutional injustice, prejudice, bigotry and bias and to foster a society that allows individuals to freely display their personal expression and identity.” It says the county “is committed to support and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community every day of the year.”

Dayna Halprin is on the board of SALT (Sullivan Allies Leading Together), a community partnership committed to improving food access, creating drug-free communities, and promoting equity and justice. “The county is taking steps in the right direction,” Halprin said of the proclamation. “Do not underestimate the importance of support and acceptance.”

They said the LGBTQIA+ community “is facing unprecedented amounts of violence, harassment, and bullying. It seems like every day I open my phone and I’m reading about another trans person in this country that has been murdered. So this county, standing in support flying the progress flag, is a really big statement.”

Gary Ott, the president of Catskills Pride, also thanked the legislature.

“I really don’t think you know how much you did today,” he said. “No one is free until we are all free.”

Martin Colavito, chair of the SALT Steering Committee, helped organize the passing of the proclamation.

“When I was listening to it, I thought about how hurtful and harmful I have been to people in my life who I thought were different than me,” he said. “Who I thought were strange. Who I thought were just not like me, and how defensive I was growing up, with an understanding that there was only one way. But, through meeting certain people in my life, it got me to think outside of myself. And I know if you look like me and you’re 66 years old, there’s a good possibility you know what I’m talking about—right? And how important today was for everybody, for everybody. And how important it is that moving forward, and I could walk out of this room and say this room is an ally, an ally to justice.”

For more information and resources in Sullivan County, visit:

• SALT (Sullivan Allies Leading Together): saltcares.com
• Catskills Pride: catskillspride.com

Editor's note: This story has been revised from the original.