Almanack Contributor Kelly Metzgar

Kelly Metzgar is the Executive Director at Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance.


Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Kelly Metzgar: End Hate, Celebrate Gender Diversity

transgender day of rememberanceTransgender Day of Remembrance occurs annually on November 20th . It is a day to memorialize those who have been killed or murdered as the result of transphobia, (hatred or fear of transgender and gender non-conforming/non-binary people). We also remember those who died as a result of suicide.

This day serves to bring attention to the continued violence and non-acceptance endured by the transgender community which we see at an alarming new rate, often emanating from the federal government against it own people. » Continue Reading.


Saturday, September 28, 2019

LGBTQ Pride Events Planned for Saranac Lake, Plattsburgh

Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance logoThe 4th Annual Adirondack North Country Pride returns to Plattsburgh on October 5th from noon to 4 pm in Trinity Park.

It celebrates diversity, and inclusion and respect for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical capability or any other inherent identity. » Continue Reading.


Saturday, June 22, 2019

Kelly Metzgar on LGBTQ Pride Month

stonewall 50th anniversaryJune is LGBT Pride Month, a time when LGBTQI+ community members, family, friends and advocates acknowledge and celebrate the gift of diversity that is unique to each of us. Many municipalities host “Pride Parades” where LGBTQI+ community members outwardly profess their rights to live freely and openly as themselves. This is also a time to acknowledge the many accomplishments of LGBTQI+ community members both past and present as well as mark strides in our current social/political arenas. » Continue Reading.


Monday, January 28, 2019

Kelly Metzgar On Historic GENDA Legislation

Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance logoHistory was made in New York State recently when the New York State Senate – after 16 very long and often disappointing years – finally passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) granting basic human and civil rights protections to the Transgender and Non-Binary communities.

GENDA had previously passed the NYS Democratic majority Assembly 11 years in a row. Also signed into law was the ban on LGBTQ Conversion Therapy, a controversial practice that attempted to change a child or youth’s sexual orientation or gender identity through highly discredited therapeutic means. » Continue Reading.


Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Local LGBTQ ‘Know Your Rights’ Forums Planned

Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance logoIn the past two years we’ve seen an outpouring of hate, attempts at overt discrimination, attempted role back of basic human rights protections at the federal level. We are facing a potential crisis in the US Supreme Court over settled law in the area’s of women’s health, reproductive rights, marriage equality, and basic LGBTQ civil rights protections.

We’ve seen attempts to ban members of the transgender community from serving openly in the military as well as prohibit their use of public accommodations based on lies and fears of spread by homophobic and transphobic hate groups bent on our elimination from society.  Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who heads the Department of Justice, issued guidance stating that LGBTQ people are not covered under federal anti-discrimination laws. This opened the gates to discrimination in all aspects of our lives, including housing, employment, medical care and insurance coverage. We’ve see repeated civil rights violations of our immigrant and native neighbors. » Continue Reading.



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