Board of Directors

President

Brian Esser is a lawyer with a solo practice focusing on building families through adoption, surrogacy, and assisted reproductive technology. He regularly works with clients pursuing private placement adoption, as well as families securing the parental rights of a non-biological parent through a second-parent adoption. He also counsels families on sperm donor agreements, and other aspects of assisted reproductive technology.

Brian has served on the board of directors of the National LGBT Bar Foundation and served two terms as the board’s president. He is a fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, a member of New York Attorneys for Adoption and Family Formation, and a member of the American Bar Association’s Family Law Section Committees on Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology. He has been recognized by his peers as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and one of the Top LGBT Lawyers under 40 by the National LGBT Bar Association.

He and his husband Kevin live in Park Slope, Brooklyn and have two sons through open adoption.

Treasurer

Robert is a Wealth Advisor at J.P. Morgan Advisors who focuses on providing investment and wealth planning services to LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. With nearly a decade of Wealth Management experience, Robert understands the importance of queer visibility and representation in all spaces. He has made it his goal to make sure that LGBTQ+ individuals are seen, heard, and considered by empowering their voices through his work as an Advisor & as a Volunteer. Robert is also on the Young Leaders Council for The LGBTQ+ Center in Manhattan and has worked in various .

Pride employee network leadership roles throughout his career. Robert lives on the Upper West Side with husband Paul, a Painter, and their Italian Greyhound, Mies. Robert majored in Philosophy at Hunter College. He enjoys reading different philosophies, cycling, CrossFit, and indulging in the Arts.

Secretary

Lindsay served two years on EQNY’s Advisory Council before joining the Board of Directors in 2022. They are active in LGBTQI+ Advocacy for the New York State Legislature. Presently, Jones is on the Youth and Families Team and advocating for the #TGNCNB Student Protection Bill sponsored by Holyman/Gottfried, the Suicide Prevention Bill, and the Inclusive Sex Ed Bill for NY State. Jones and family are part of the Gender Family Project with Ackerman Institute where Jones serves as a Parent Advocate. Previously, Lindsay has advocated for GENDA, Ban on Conversion Therapy, Walking While Trans Ban, Trans Panic Defense Ban, and is currently working on bills in alignment with Equality NY Policy Platform. Lindsay attended the United Nations first ever Gender Diversity Conference. Jones has attended training with GLAAD Media, Gender Conference NY hosted by GFP Ackerman, Equality New York Advocacy Institute and Harvard University. Jones has been recognized for their contributions by Queens Borough President, Donovan Richard at the JR. 2021 Pride. Jones is a fashion designer with Mused, which was founded to integrate political and social intentions into design. Jones is a mother of two.

Tamika Mapp is a dynamic and multi-faceted individual who seamlessly blends her roles as a family woman and a professional, embodying the essence of dedication and compassion in every aspect of her life. As a devoted wife, mother, sister, and an ardent animal enthusiast, Tamika cherishes the values of family and empathy, which radiate through her personal and professional endeavors.

Professionally, Tamika excels as an Independent Life Insurance Broker, where she plays a pivotal role in equipping families with essential tools to safeguard their assets and ensure their financial stability. Her expertise in this field is not just about offering services; it's about empowering families with peace of mind for the future.

Tamika's commitment extends into her community as she serves as the District Leader for the 68th Assembly District Part D, and as the State Committeewoman for the same district. Her involvement in politics is driven by a profound commitment to instigate positive change within the State of New York. Renowned for her relentless advocacy, Tamika is a powerful voice in pushing for impactful legislation that seeks to bring about sustainable improvements for her community and beyond.

Despite her busy professional life, Tamika's heart for service shines through her volunteer work with the Girl Scouts. Here, she dedicates her time to ensuring that young women have a nurturing environment to grow, express themselves, and become influential change-makers in their communities.

Tamika Mapp's life story is an inspiring narrative of unwavering commitment, heartfelt compassion, and an enduring desire to make a meaningful difference. She stands as an exemplary figure, showcasing what it means to be a caring family member, a dedicated professional, a community leader, and a staunch advocate for positive transformation.

Omar is a native NY’er who is the proud son of Cuban & Nicaraguan immigrants. He has spent the last 15 years as a community organizer/ activist, elected & appointed official fighting for equity, equality, tenant rights & affordable housing. Prior to his public service, Omar managed his own Event Production and Consulting business in Westchester County.

As a communications professional he has worked within the political & non-profit sphere. Today, he leads events & outreach for Columbia University’s Climate School communications department.

Jake is a member of the board of directors at Equality New York. He is also the Deputy Director, Campaigns & Strategy at the New York Civil Liberties Union's Education Policy Center, where he leads the programmatic visioning and high-level management of major education initiatives that tackle civil rights and civil liberties challenges in schools and other institutions that serve young people. At the NYCLU, he develops and manages an issue-area portfolio, which includes the rights of LGBTQ+ students, bullying and harassment in schools, police in schools and school discipline, environmental justice, and school governance issues. He also oversees the organization's statewide youth engagement efforts, including the Teen Activist Project, the NYCLU's marquee youth organizing program, with more than 150 members in New York City.

Martinez has an extensive background in community organizing, social justice and program management. Prior to joining the NYCLU, Martinez held the role of Education & Youth Programs Associate at GLSEN from 2014-2016, where he collaborated with the Director of Education & Youth Programs to strategically design, implement and manage several GLSEN campaigns and programs that advocate for safer schools for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. He also worked at the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties from 2012-2014 as the Special Projects Associate where he was responsible for major event planning, collaborating with San Diego LGBT community partners and being the lead staff liaison to the ACLU of California leadership team.

Martinez holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Sociology and Psychology from Arizona State University and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Family and Human Development, also from Arizona State University.

Rashaan James II went to the University of Buffalo for a BFA in Musical theatre and a BA in dance. He’s performed all over the world in productions like Crazy for You at Lincoln Center, Dirty Dancing U.S. tour, West Side Story international tour, and South Pacific 1st National Tour. Outside on being onstage he’s also a dance educator. He’s currently on faculty at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway. Rashaan is also quite active in the non-profit and political spheres.

He is an Eastern Region Chorus Councilor for Actors’ Equity Association, a board member of Black Queer Town Hall, a NYC Central Labor Council delegate, was the Deputy Campaign manager for the district 6 candidate for NYC council. He also a consultant for DEI for many companies. He’s excited to be part of the EQNY board.

Christopher is a public interest attorney and currently serves as the Executive Director of South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS), in Massachusetts, as of March 1, 2023. Prior to assuming this position he was a practicing attorney in New York’s Hudson Valley. Prior to becoming Executive Director at SCCLS, Christopher was the Pro Bono Director at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley (LSHV) where he oversaw the implementation and development of pro bono programming.

Prior to serving as Pro Bono Director, Christopher spearheaded and served as the staff attorney of LSHV’s LGBTQ Legal Project where he represented low-income LGBTQ individuals in the Hudson Valley in areas such as discrimination, name changes, landlord/tenant matters, disability advocacy, and other civil legal services. Christopher was the Chair of the Westchester County LGBTQ+ Advisory Board for 10 years, where he and his board regularly advised the County Executive on issues important to the LGBTQ+ community.

Christopher was also appointed to be a member of the 9th Judicial District Access to Justice LGBTQ+ Subcommittee. Because of Christopher’s community work throughout the County, the Westchester County Legislature named two “Christopher Oldi” days in his honor. Further, State Senator Pete Harckham has honored Christopher with a Senate Proclamation for his dedicated advocacy to the LGBTQ+ community.

Gabriel Blau is a nationally acclaimed advocate for the LGBTQ community. For more than 15 years his work has focused on LGBTQ rights, faith, and equality. He served as the Executive Director of Family Equality Council where he and his team advocated for LGBTQ families, pursuing laws, policies and court cases to secure adoption, surrogacy, non-discrimination, and marriage rights.

He has been called “A Dad fighting for all dads” and has represented LGBTQI issues on television, in newspapers, and in front of legislators. His work began in 1998 when he founded the God & Sexuality Conference at Bard College, where he and his colleagues gathered scholars to write and present on religion, sexuality, and gender. He has served on numerous boards, and is the Co-Founder of Equality New York. He has since held leadership positions in a variety of LGBTQI organizations and projects.

Gabriel has received numerous awards and recognition for his work in the LGBTQI movement, including by The Advocate and City & State. He consults and coaches businesses and nonprofits, and teaches at Sy Syms School of Business.