Capital Region Scene

Empire State Pride Agenda names new leader

The Empire State Pride Agenda has named Nathan Schaefer as its executive director.

In a release sent out Saturday afternoon by ESPA co-chairwomen Louis Bradbury and Marla Hassner, a successor was named for Ross Levi, who was let go by the organization in March.

“I know the LGBT community across New York will join us in welcoming Nathan Schaefer as incoming executive director of the Pride Agenda,” said Hassner in a statement. “Nathan comes to us with significant policymaking, community advocacy and political action experience. He is the right person to lead the Pride Agenda at this time, and we are confident he will help the LGBT community earn the full equality and recognition that we deserve.”

For his part, Schaefer said in a statement that he was thrilled and humbled by the opportunity before him. “We have an exciting opportunity right now in New York to continue the momentum toward equality," he said. "As executive director, I look forward to working with LGBT New Yorkers and our allies from across the state to build consensus and aggressively advocate for change.”

Schaefer most recently worked at Gay Men’s Health Crisis, where he was responsible for all advocacy, organizing and government relations aspects of the group. He has also lobbied on national issues and has been published writing about issues that impact the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities.

Below is a video message from Schaefer.

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