Shoppers and neighbours are gathering downtown this June as Kings County Surrogate’s Court and the New York State LGBTQ+ Judges Association present “All Rise with Pride,” honouring two jurists for their service and visibility , a small, civic ceremony that matters for representation in Brooklyn courts.

Essential Takeaways

  • Event details: The ceremony, All Rise with Pride, takes place June 17 at 2 Johnson St., room 319, in Downtown Brooklyn.
  • Who’s honoured: Judge Michael R. Milsap of Bronx Family Court and Judge Richard Tsai of New York City Civil Court will be recognised.
  • Organisers: The New York State LGBTQ+ Judges Association partners with Kings County Surrogate’s Court to highlight LGBTQ+ contributions within the judiciary.
  • Why it matters: It’s a public nod to diversity in the courts and an opportunity to see local judges celebrated for service and advocacy.
  • Venue vibe: Expect a civic, formal gathering in a courthouse setting , accessible, respectful, and community-focused.

What’s happening and who’s being honoured

The most immediate fact is straightforward: on June 17 the Kings County Surrogate’s Court will host All Rise with Pride, a ceremony recognising two openly LGBTQ+ jurists. Judge Michael R. Milsap, who’s served in Bronx Family Court since his 2015 appointment, and Judge Richard Tsai, a long-serving Civil Court judge in Manhattan, will be celebrated. The scene will be courthouse-sober but warm, the kind of event where colleagues, advocates and friends gather to applaud public service.

Why the New York State LGBTQ+ Judges Association matters

The New York State LGBTQ+ Judges Association organises events like this to create a forum for advocacy, education and mutual support among judges. According to the association’s aims, these gatherings help raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues within the legal system and encourage mentorship. For citizens, it’s a reminder that the bench is slowly becoming more reflective of the communities it serves.

Context: Kings County Surrogate’s Court’s role in Brooklyn

Kings County Surrogate’s Court handles probate, estates, guardianship and adoptions for Brooklyn residents, a quietly busy corner of the city’s justice system. The court is overseen by elected surrogates , currently Hon. Rosemarie J. Montalbano and Hon. Bernard J. Graham , and hosts public ceremonies when appropriate. Holding a Pride recognition here connects everyday legal work to wider community values around inclusion and respect.

The honourees: brief background and what they represent

Judge Milsap came to the bench in 2015 after appointment by the mayor and is serving a term that runs through 2025; his work in family court addresses sensitive, often emotional cases. Judge Tsai has been on the Civil Court bench for more than nine years, with a current term through 2027. Together they symbolise different parts of New York’s judiciary , family and civil , and their recognition underscores that LGBTQ+ representation spans the courts.

How events like this change the courtroom culture

Small ceremonies carry outsized meaning. They signal to LGBTQ+ lawyers, court staff and litigants that their identities belong in legal spaces. For allies, it’s a chance to support visible leadership. For organisers, it’s also practical: these events foster networking, mentorship and public education about how the courts handle issues affecting queer communities. Expect more such recognitions as diversity initiatives keep nudging institutions toward inclusion.

It's a small celebration with a big message about visibility and service.

Source Reference Map

Story idea inspired by: [1]

Sources by paragraph: