Stonewall Forever: Celebrating 40 Years of SDNYC

On a cold night in February 1986, the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City was founded. On cold night in January, 2026, hundreds of LGBTQ community members, elected officials, allies, and candidates for office joined together for “Stonewall Forever”, SDNUC’s 2026 Annual Event, celebrating our 40th year.

The event recognized the inspirational and and impactful work of LGBTQ leaders:

  • Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Manhattan Borough President

  • Mateo Guerrero, Trans Justice & Leadership Director, Make The Road New York

  • Nadia Swanson, Director of Advocacy & Global Programs, Ali Forney Center.

See photos of the night below! All credits: Donna Aceto Photography.




Statement on The Murder of Alex Pretti in Minnesota

The murder of Alex Pretti is tragic and horrifying- and painful proof that no one is safe under a fascist regime.

The federal government is murdering dissenters in broad daylight. It is kidnapping and murdering immigrants and people of color on sight. It is threatening to investigate everyone from government leaders to the wife of Renee Good, who was executed by ICE just weeks ago. It is closing health care centers for women and trans people. It is trying to stamp out all opposition to its power.

In the face of this authoritarian evil, the only option is to resist. We must unite, protect others, and keep fighting for a different future.

As a club, and as individuals, the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City is committed to taking action, holding our leaders accountable, and working for a city, nation, and world that is safe and just for all. After the murder of Alex Pretti, Senate Democrats vowed they would not pass the proposed budget bill to fund ICE. SDNYC urges all members of Congress to push in every way they can to stop ICE and prevent further horrors from occurring on American streets.


STONEWALL FOREVER

2026 marks SDNYC’s 40th year - and our advocacy, activism, and energy for LGBTQ rights is every bit as urgent now as the day we were founded. All the progress we’ve achieved - from HIV funding to trans rights to marriage equality - is under threat from a bigoted and authoritarian federal government, and we need bold leaders at every level of government and civil society who are ready to stand up for our community.

Join us at our 2026 Annual Event, Stonewall Forever, where we’ll celebrate our community, our allies, and honor some of the true gems of our movement at the forefront of forging a better future for LGBTQ New Yorkers.

January 29th, 2026

6:30-9:30
Housing Works Bookstore
126 Crosby Street

We are proud to recognize the pathbreaking and impactful work of LGBTQ leaders:

Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Manhattan Borough President

Mateo Guerrero
Trans Justice & Leadership Director
Make The Road New York

Nadia Swanson
Director of Advocacy & Global Programs
Ali Forney Center

Tickets and Sponsorships available at SDNYC.ORG/40th

December Action Meeting: Urge Gov Hochul to Sign LGBTQ Legislation

Governor Hochul has until Dec. 31st to sign or veto hundreds of bills. Among them are four pieces of legislation that help protect and defend LGBTQ people from discrimination. Join SDNYC on Zoom Wednesday at 6:30 to briefly learn about the bills below and tools YOU can use to help ensure the Governor knows how important these issues are to our community. Register for the meeting here. 


SDNYC Urges Governor Hochul To Sign:

  • The Freedom to Read Act ( Simone A7777 / May S1099) would fight school districts across NYS that have tried to ban books with LGBTQ content by requiring statewide regulations that make sure library collections are vibrant and inclusive. 

  • Shield Law 2.0 (S.4914-B (Hoylman-Sigal)/A.5480-C (Bronson)) will strengthen, and fill gaps in, our state's shield laws to ensure that New York State will not be complicit in hostile states' and the Trump Administration's efforts to investigate, prosecute, or punish those who seek, provide, and facilitate reproductive health care and gender-affirming care in New York.

  • New York Health Information Privacy Act: (S.929- Hinchey /A.2141 - Rozic) will help New Yorkers to know whether the hospital in their area provides the care they need prior to admission and would assist the State in identifying care deserts where particular types of care are completely unavailable. It takes on new urgency as hospitals began denying gender-affirming care in response to Trump’s anti-trans executive orders; community members, families, and advocates have been desperately seeking information about which hospitals are denying care.

  • The Hospital Transparency Act (A.3862/S.3486)(S.929 (Krueger)/A.2141(Rosenthal)) will give New Yorkers more control over their electronic health information, like Fitbit, smartwatch, and period tracking app data, and make it harder for hostile states or the federal government to use those data to investigate, prosecute, or punish people who seek, provide, or support access to health reproductive health care and gender-affirming care in New York.