Declaring Its LGBT Goals Have Been Met, Empire State Pride Agenda Winding Down Operations

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- One of New York's top LGBT rights organizations says it has achieved its goals so it's going out of business.

Since 1990, when AIDS was ravaging America and things like same-sex marriage were distant dreams for advocates, the Empire State Pride Agenda has been one of the leading voices for LGBT rights in New York.

Now, it's not just declaring victory, says its executive director, Nathan Schaefer. "We are going to responsibly and strategically wind down our main operation," he told WCBS 880's Alex Silverman.

"We really never thought it would be achievable that we would see marriage equality, nondiscrimination and so many other rights," Schaefer added.

He said the last major goal was achieved this fall when Gov. Andrew Cuomo's executive order banned discrimination against transgender New Yorkers.

"Those regulations will have the full effect of the law," Schaefer said.

But the Pride Agenda did not succeed in lobbying the Legislature for a law preventing a future governor from single-handedly overturning the order.

Schaefer said he's not concerned about that happening, adding that other groups will pick up what's left of the Pride Agenda's work.