The Pride Center will continue VCS' mission of bringing equality and justice for all, said Coe, vice president of the center's board. 'Even those most committed to having VCS continue as the 'mother organization' began to realize that there needed to be an organization completely dedicated to LGBT programs and services,' said Phyllis Frank, associate executive director of VCS. Plans are under way to open a Rockland County Pride Center by September.Īs VCS expanded its programming in other areas, it was time for a separate entity to emerge. The sponsor, New City-based Volunteer Counseling Services, was Rockland's pioneer in the gay rights movement.Īnother key moment will be marked later this year when the LGBT programs that VCS nurtured establish a home of their own.
The Gay Pride Rockland gathering that meant so much to him was launched in 1999, marking a moment when the county was ready for its message of inclusiveness.
A year later, Coe was a speaker at the annual event, and went on to become a strong advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning individuals. For Joseph Coe, it wasn't easy being a gay student at North Rockland High School in the late 1990s.īut he found hope and inspiration at a gay pride gathering on the streets of Nyack.
