Empire State of Pride hosts first statewide conference [Video]

People are gathering in Syracuse this week for the first Empire State of Pride conference.

Co-producer of Empire State of Pride Kevin Bailey said the event is meant to help people learn how to better organize pride events in their community, and it’s meant for people from anywhere in the state.

Speakers will be sharing best practices from marketing to fundraising to working with parks departments.

Some first-time organizers might not know how to secure essentials for marches, like a permit, law enforcement presence and potentially paying overtime for officers. He said it can be helpful to work with organizations like local tourism bureaus to get the word out about an event, and it’s possible there’s a community foundation nearby that can help fund activities.

Bailey said across New York, officials are seeing an increase in pride events in smaller towns and villages.

“It’s become something that’s [a] hyper-local celebration of LGBT identities,” said Bailey. …