Honoring Pride and AANHPI Heritage Months: My Council Meeting Public Remarks

On May 19th the West Windsor Township Council issued proclamations honoring Pride Month (June) and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May). Clink on the video link below to listen to my remarks.

The full transcript of my prepared remarks can be found below.

Good evening everyone -

Last year, we made history by issuing a proclamation recognizing Pride Month for the first time here. And tonight, we continue that commitment. This is an important moment —not only to me personally, but to so many in our community who deserve to feel seen, valued, and safe in the place they call home.

Pride is not just a celebration.  It is a declaration of visibility in a world where LGBTQ+ people are still too often pushed to the margins. It is a statement of resilience at a time when our community is under attack across the country through harmful rhetoric and policies designed to erase our identities and silence our voices.

I’ve had the opportunity over the past several months to meet with WW-P GSA student groups—spaces where young people come together with hope, with courage, and with questions. And the questions that come up often are: Are we protected? Are our rights secure? And are we safe?

I’m proud to say that here in NJ we have some of the strongest anti-discrimination laws in the country. Our schools are required to teach inclusive curricula, our laws protect LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, and healthcare, and we continue to fight against hate crimes and intolerance. These protections matter. They ensure that our children can grow up in an environment where they don’t have to choose between who they are and the opportunities they deserve.

But laws alone cannot create the culture of acceptance we need. Acceptance isn’t just about what’s written in policy—it’s about how we treat one another.  It’s about friendships that uplift and support each other. It’s about allies—colleagues, teachers, parents, friends —who step up and speak out when they see injustice.

Acceptance is more than just inclusion; it’s about celebrating the beauty of our differences. It’s about recognizing that diversity isn’t something to tolerate—it’s something to celebrate and cherish. And when we embrace that mindset, we all benefit. When people feel they belong, they thrive. And that is what we should all be striving for.

That’s what makes tonight so powerful. This proclamation is more than symbolic—it is a message to every LGBTQ+ person, especially our youth: That you belong. You are seen. You are valued. And you are loved.

We also honor Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month—a time to recognize the enormous contributions of the AANHPI community to our nation and our township, and to reflect on the adversity they have endured. From the Chinese Exclusion Act to the internment of Japanese Americans, from the targeting of Sikh and South Asian communities post-9/11 to the horrific rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic—this community has known deep pain and prejudice. And yet, they have always responded with resilience, brilliance, and grace.  Their contributions are an essential part of the American story, and they deserve both celebration and solidarity.

Both proclamations tonight are celebratory in nature—but they are also acknowledgments of struggle -- and a promise to do better. They call on all of us to remember that true equity is not just about recognizing identity but about removing barriers. It’s about building a community where all people—regardless of race, gender identity, or who they love—can live free from fear. 

I’d like to take a moment to recognize that today, May 19th, is National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This day is dedicated to breaking the silence and stigma around HIV in AANHPI communities, promoting education, testing, and access to care. As we celebrate both proclamations tonight, it’s important to acknowledge the unique health challenges at the intersection of these identities—and to reaffirm our commitment to equity, inclusion, and public health for all.

And so, as we uplift these communities, I want to invite all of you to join in the many Pride celebrations taking place in Mercer County and across New Jersey. From parades and flag raising ceremonies, to panel discussions, youth events, and family festivals, there are many opportunities to stand together, learn from one another, and celebrate love, identity, and inclusion.  Here’s a list of events that I’ve compiled that can also be found on my website calendar:

• Princeton Borough Pride Flag Raising, Friday May 30th, noon

• The Prom for Queer Youth by HiTOPS, held at the Arts Council of Princeton is on Sat, May 31st 5pm

• The NJ Pride Parade and Festival in Asbury Park, which is both the oldest and largest pride celebration in NJ, is on Sun June 1st, 11am – 7pm

• The Hopewell Township Pride Flag Raising Ceremony, is on Mon June 2nd 6pm

• The Ewing Township Pride Flag Raising Ceremony in on Tues June 3rd, 12 noon

• The Mercer County Pride Flag Raising Ceremony, at Mercer County Park, here in West Windsor, is on Wed June 4th at 5:30pm

• The Trenton Pride Flag Raising Ceremony is on Friday June 6th, 4pm

• An Expungement Clinic, will be held on Tues June 3rd 3pm-6pm, sponsored by the Mercer County Division of LGBTQIA+ Affairs

• The Pride on the Plaza Festival and Dance party, at Hines Plaza by the Princeton Library, sponsored by the Arts Council of Princeton, is on Fri June 6th 7-10pm

• The Trenton Pride Parade and festival is on Sat June 7th 11am – 6pm

• The Princeton Pride Parade and festival is on Sat June 14th 11am – 4pm

• The Lawrence Pride Fest is on Sunday June 15th 9am – 1pm

• And the Robbinsville Pride Fest, which is celebrating 5 years of Pride with their neighboring towns, is on Sat, June 28th 2-4pm.

Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, a proud ally, or simply someone who believes in the dignity of all people, I encourage you to participate.

Thank you.