Hempstead raises LGBTQ flag for first time

Erica Clemente, of Levittown, could barely contain her excitement as she stood in front of Hempstead town hall waiting for the first Democratic administration in a century to demonstrate what she called “acceptance for all people, whoever they are.”

Clemente was there along with dozens of other supporters, including her 20-year old son Anthony and his boyfriend, Jayden MacKenzie, 19, who is transgender.

MacKenzie, of Bellmore, said the town’s ceremonial LGBT rainbow flag-raising to kick off the annual Long Island Pride weekend festivities in Long Beach felt like a “big stepping stone.”

“I’ve had a hard time interacting with the older generation,” he said, “I feel a little more comfortable here now. That’s a nice feeling when you’re transgender.” He added that he has found acceptance among his generation.

“This means a lot to me that I can be accepted in the place I call my home,” said Anthony Clemente of Merrick.

Supervisor Laura Gillen made history on Thursday, by becoming the first town leader to raise the LGBT flag. Joining her at the podium were Long Beach Police Commissioner and City Manager Michael Tangney, Senior Town Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby, LGBT Network President David Kilmnick and iconic gay rights advocate, Randy Jones, of the Village People.

After a few brief speeches and the actual hoisting of the rainbow flag, Jones sang the Village People hit ''YMCA'' — one of the best selling records of all-time. Then he serenaded Goosby with the theme song from the Mary Tyler Moore Show.

Among the weekend event details previewed at the news conference was that the Grand Marshall for the Long Island Pride Parade will be a gay alliance from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Gillen and Kilmnick performed the instantly-recognizable “YMCA” dance moves to the cheers of waves of supporters.

Long Island Pride, the nation's largest LGBT Beach festival will begin Friday and continue through Sunday. More than 30,000 people from across the United States are expected to attend the three-day festival, to be held on the Boardwalk and the beach. Concerts will be among some 30 festival events.

“It’s the number one thing to do on Long Island this weekend, so come on down and do the number one thing,” Tangney said.