The Edie Windsor & Thea Spyer Equality Award
Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins has represented the people of Westchester County for over 20 years. Her strong belief in advocating for the underserved and championing the needs of working families, has distinguished her as a trailblazer in local and State government. In 1999, as a Westchester County Legislator she was instrumental in passing the county’s first human rights laws and, in the face of resistance and criticism, she stood her ground and dug in her heels to ensure the LGBT community would be included and protected.
In 2009, Senator Stewart-Cousins made New York State history as the first African-American woman to preside over the Senate. In 2012, she was elected by her colleagues to serve as Leader of the New York State Senate Democratic Conference, becoming the first female leader of a legislative conference in state history.
Since 2006, Senator Cousins has consistently voted in favor of LGBT rights and protections. One of our staunchest advocates, she is always available to help when needed. As a longtime friend of The LOFT and the community we serve, Senator Cousins reaches out to show us support when things are rough and joins us in times of celebration. Andrea Stewart-Cousins is more than a supportive and proactive elected official; she is our friend and ally.
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The LOFT Business Ally Award
Westchester Community Foundation
Committed to making our community a better place, The Westchester Community Foundation (WCF) is a division of The New York Community Trust, which has been helping New Yorkers achieve results through philanthropy since 1924.
Always committed to addressing important needs with long-term solutions, in 2017 WCF spearheaded and funded Westchester County’s first LGBTQ needs assessment. In partnership with The LOFT and other vital Westchester County service providers and LGBT Leadership, WFC has worked tirelessly through 2018 to produce an accurate, effective and much needed data tool to help us best serve our community in Westchester County. Also, in 2017, as part of their Community Matters Film Series, WCF organized a screening and panel discussion of the documentary film “Real Boy”, which profiled the experiences of a 19 year old trans youth and his family.
The LOFT would like to recognize Executive Director Laura Rossi and Program Officer Robin Melén and the entire staff and board of WCF for their dedication to our mission.
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The LOFT Ally Award
Coach Anthony Nicodemo
Anthony Nicodemo has been an educator and coach his entire adult life. For the past 12 years he has been a social studies teacher in the Greenburgh-North Castle School District where he serves as President of Greenburgh-North Castle United, the NYSUT affiliated union.
Anthony garnered national attention in 2013 when he came out as gay to the athletes and parents of the basketball team he coached at Saunders Trade and Technical High School in Yonkers. His story was featured on Outsports, Good Day New York, the New York Times and Good Morning America to name a few. In 2014, he was named to the LGBT Sports Coalition and has since worked closely with Nike’s BeTrue campaign. In January 2018 he hosted a “Pride on the Court” LGBT Awareness game and fundraiser for GLSEN featuring openly gay NBA player Jason Collins. A strong advocate for LGBT youth Nicodemo currently serves on the board of directors for the Sports Equality Foundation and is the co-chair of Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano’s LGBTQ Advisory Board.
Dedicated to diversity and inclusion, Anthony has been an outstanding example of how we can make the world better for generations to come on and off the court.
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About our Resilience Gala Emcee
Charlie Scatamacchia has been a resident of Westchester County for the past 24 years, and has many years of professional experience in the music publishing industry.
Since retiring, he has become involved in numerous LGBTQ advocacy initiatives including Marriage Equality USA, WJCS's Center Lane, The LOFT, and Live Out Loud.
Charlie is also a member of the Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps and Queer Urban Orchestra, where he plays the bassoon.
Charlie has been affiliated with Rehabilitation Through the Arts, where he facilitates theater-related workshops in the NYS prision system, and was the director of CYRANO at the Fishkill Correctional Facility in Beacon, NY.
Charlie will always be heard saying, "I'm the luckiet man I know."
