While we wish that we had been able to participate in Col. Ryan’s journey as a gay man, we understand all too well the realities queer people still face, decorated war-hero or not, in just being alive and understood for who we are. A man who had faced fears countless and unimaginable couldn’t fathom a safe and happy life in authenticity because of how LGBTQ+ people have been, and are still being treated by everyone else. 

This final act of bravery has not only impacted our work, but our community here in the Capital Region, and is also a subtle warning: don’t wait until you’re out of time to live out loud. Take up space, be the living role model for a younger you, and know that you deserve to be at peace today among the family and friends who love you,

In family with you all,

Nathaniel Gray
Executive Director
Pride Center of the Capital Region

Don't wait untl you're out of time to live out loud.

Col. Edward Thomas Ryan

This year, the June stretch of our Pride season has been a busy, albeit rainy, time for us here at the Pride Center! We hope you were able to join use at any and all of the various Pride events that we either support or organize like our Pride subsidiaries in Schenectady, Bethlehem, and Saratoga, the ever-growing and always awesome BIPOC Pride Festival on June 8th (IOOV), our Capital Pride Parade and Festival on June 9th, the Alt-Prom on June 14th, and all of the other events that are more in number each year. These events, we hope, are raising visibility for the queer community beyond the four corners of Washington Park, which in-turn, shifts the culture to one where queer kids and seniors see themselves reflected in their own hometowns, community centers, and schools.

We know from a local veteran’s recent obituary just how powerful visibility can be. Sadly, Col. Edward Ryan, a native of Rensselaer and lifelong public servant, passed away on the first day of Pride month, June 1st, 2024. His obituary reads as a standard summation of his life, his dedication to service in the military and fire fighter, as well as the awards received for service both in wartime as a Viet Nam Veteran and to the State of New York on Sept. 11th, 2001. Col. Ryan was willing, across his lifespan, to make the ultimate sacrifice as an American patriot, yet, did not feel safe enough in the Capital Region of New York to live life out and proud among the people he spent his life protecting. He provided the following for the last word in his obituary:

"I must tell you one more thing. I was Gay all my life: thru grade school, thru High School, thru College, thru Life. I was in a loving and caring relationship with Paul Cavagnaro of North Greenbush. He was the love of my life. We had 25 great years together. Paul died in 1994 from a medical Procedure gone wrong. I'll be buried next to Paul. I'm sorry for not having the courage to come out as Gay. I was afraid of being ostracized: by Family, Friends, and Co-Workers. Seeing how people like me were treated, I just could not do it. Now that my secret is known, I'll forever Rest in Peace."