Letters-to-the-Editor & Commentary

Kudos to Irvington’s Mayor and Board of Trustees

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May 18, 2024

Residents:

The Town of Greenburgh Human Rights Advisory Committee applauds Irvington Mayor Jon Siegel and the village’s Board of Trustees for emphatically rejecting opposition to the flying of Pride flags during Pride Month this June. We also appreciate that the vast majority of residents across Greenburgh support both our local LGBTQ+ community and the significance of setting aside four calendar weeks to celebrate their humanity and resilience.

Nevertheless, we are keenly aware that barriers to acceptance do exist, including here in the Rivertowns. At the >May 6 Irvington Board meeting, a public commenter referred to Pride Month as one “we all dread” before asking, “Why add a flag that takes away from our wholesome town?” Less than two months earlier, an openly gay Tarrytown Trustee was taunted with homophobic remarks during the public comments period of a Village Board meeting. Last June, Pride flags in downtown Hastings-on-Hudson were covered in garbage bags. These are but a few of numerous, comparable acts in our relative backyard that routinely occur this time of year, and it is incumbent upon us to speak out against such divisive acts, including hate speech and hurtful rhetoric wherever it exists.

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The inclusivity of our towns and villages should not be taken lightly or for granted, as it can be swept away by a tide of ignorance in the face of complacency. There are too many examples from our recent history to illustrate that hate unchecked can evolve into an organized ideology predicated on marginalizing and terrorizing groups of people who already live in fear of being othered.

That’s why we invite everyone to stand up, show up and speak out on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community this June and throughout the year. And in that spirit, we welcome everyone to join us for our Pride Rally at Dobbs Ferry Riverfront Park on Sunday, June 23rd from 2-4 p.m., a joint effort alongside the Town of Greenburgh, Greenburgh Pride, Village of Ardsley and Village of Dobbs Ferry.

Respectfully submitted,

The Town of Greenburgh Human Rights Advisory Committee

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