June 4, 2021
Ossining Hosted the Annual
Raising of the LGBTQ+ Pride Flag
OSSINING, NY--Today, the rainbow flag was raised in Market Square, honoring June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. This is the third year that the Village has partnered with the Ossining LGBTQ Alliance to observe Pride Month with a flag-raising. The rainbow flag is raised in June to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which was the catalyst for Pride Month. During this time, we reflect, honor and amplify the voices of the LGBTQ+ community past, present, and future.

The program was organized by Ossining LGBTQ Alliance founder Christina Picciano and attended by local elected leaders, allies, and LGBTQ+ local community members. "Each year has been a unique and uplifting experience for our community,'' said Christina Picciano. “The silver lining of last year's 10 person outdoor limit was the opportunity to highlight queer voices in our community. I’m happy to continue with that tradition again with remarks from Cole Rivers, Kiara Taylor De Parra, and Ossining High School SAGA representative Justin Knowles."

Raising the pride flag signifies to all LGBTQ+ residents that they are welcome. The Village of Ossining is proud to be a strong ally to its community. In 2018 the Village adopted a gender-neutral bathroom signage policy, the first of its kind for a municipality in New York State.

The Pride flag will fly through the month of June, under the American Flag, and next to the Juneteenth Flag.

“We raise a flag to commemorate our differences and to include all members of our community. It’s a beautiful flag ... one that shows our diversity. We should keep calm in the face of difference, and the community at large would be better off if we live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity in our community,” said Mayor Rika Levin.

“I am so proud to be part of a community like Ossining that embraces Pride and the LGBTQ+ community with pride, in an official capacity,” said Supervisor Levenberg. “The Pride Flag is much more than a representative rainbow. Having the Pride Flag fly in Market Square is a reminder to all residents that hate will not be tolerated here--it symbolizes acceptance and love of all people, no matter gender identity or whom we choose to love. Raising the Pride flag and recognizing Pride Month is also a chance to highlight the great achievements made by our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors. It is also a reflection of the years and lives lost to prejudice. I am grateful to be a part of today's ceremony, and I am thankful and proud to be part of the Ossining Community. Happy Pride!”
Kiara Taylor, an Activist Latina born in Caguas, Puerto Rico and represents KIARA TAYLOR TRANS NEW YORK LGBTQ+ she is Focused on the LGBTQ + outreach which includes the Trans Community, NC/NB rights, inclusion, equality, community member protection laws, and safety. Member of The Ossining LGBTQ+ Alliance founded by Christina Picciano. An amazing volunteer organization that promotes a safe and welcoming environment for our community. Board member of LEGAL SERVICES OF HUDSON VALLEY, representing the Latin community. 
 
Kiara Taylor has worked as a volunteer for THE LOFT LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER as a Group Facilitator and PEER NAVIGATOR for the amazing PROUWEST ME program which provides different community resources for the Trans Community including the NC/NB.

Her SUPERPOWERS are "LOVE and EMPOWERMENT"
Justin Knowles was born and raised in Ossining and is currently a Junior at OHS, he's the president of the Sexuality and Gender Acceptance Club and current board member and secretary of Student Organizers for Justice and Liberation a youth organization focused on fighting for social justice issues. He is also currently a youth participant at Outcasting Media an LGBTQ Public Radio Organization that covers issues regarding the LGBTQ community while also giving the perspective of LGBTQ youth. Justin plans on graduating OHS next year, then going to a four-year SUNY college majoring in Business and minoring in Sociology.
Cole River is a poet and writer of trans experience. Formally an Ossining resident, professionally he roasts coffee locally for Black Cow Coffee Company. Cole has curated, hosted and performed for various progressive platforms and community based events. He continues to cultivate innovative experiences that center on active dialogues of intersectionality, human apartheid, queer and spiritual identity.
Cole River's Poem that was presented today:
“... I am affirmations prayed for buried beneath the soil and bedrock from which I am standing
keeping me still and upright.
I too am exhausted of speaking of what I am 
to be seen. 
Holding space for whiteness 
which considers no space for me, 
for those black like me 
queer like me,
trans like me,
others like me. 
I am traumatized that I too will die without joy... 
for being me. 
Still I am told to smile and speak when asked to,
without panic attacks or crying, 
without remembering my fathers illiteracy,
my mothers hysterectomy, 
and my body... 
a trauma response of fear and shame 
that lies at the edge of my full lips.”
Christina Picciano is the founder of The Ossining LGBTQ Alliance, a volunteer organization that promotes a safe and welcoming environment for the local LGBTQ + community through outreach, events and advocacy.
 
Merging performance, activism and free events for the community, Christina has volunteered her time, working together with The Village of Ossining, local businesses, and grassroots organizations to promote LGBTQ+ inclusivity within Ossining.
 
Working alongside The Village of Ossining, New York, Christina worked to promote the Village's gender neutral bathroom signage policy, the first of it's kind for a municipality in New York State. Since 2019 she has also established an annual pride flag raising in downtown Ossining in honor of pride month. More recently Christina worked with Ossining's Police Reform and Reinvention Working Committee, to review and update policies to protect the local LGBTQ+ community.
 
She has curated several free screenings and panels with The The Ossining Documentary & Discussion Series centering on issues of transgender rights, empowering LGBTQ+ youth of color, AIDS activism and awareness and the transgender military ban.
 
In 2019 and early 2020, Christina organized drag performances and queer music night's at Sing Sing Kill Brewery free and open to the public to unite and uplift her community.
 
As a board member of the Hudson Valley Stonewall Democrats and District Leader in the Ossining Town Democratic Committee, Christina is actively involved locally and regionally in electing and supporting pro LGBTQ+ candidates and policies.
 
Christina is also an active musician in her punk band All My Friends.
Village of Ossining Media Contact:
Office of the Village Manager
914-941-3554
Ossining LGBTQ Alliance Media Contact
Christina Picciano
(914) 772-6797