New York's LGBTQ group GOAL is out and proud patrolling the streets of the city

NEW YORK (WABC) -- This year is WorldPride in New York City and the members of the Gay Officers Action League New York, or GOAL NY, are ready to march out and proud in the streets of New York.

New York City will celebrate and host two main events this year: The commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and WorldPride.

WorldPride NYC coverages begins at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 30 with an ABC News Pride special on Channel 7 and abc7NY.com. And then at noon, join our team of Ken Rosato, Sam Champion, Lauren Glassberg and Kemberly Richardson for live coverage of WorldPride NYC 2019 on Channel 7 and abc7NY.com.

In 1969, the riots at The Stonewall Inn sparked the birth of the LGBTQ Civil Rights Movement. Now, 50 years later, WorldPride will be hosted for the first time on U.S. soil in New York City.

"I can think of no more special place to be than, here, in New York, the birthplace of the queer liberation movement and of GOAL, the first organization of its kind in the United States and the world," said GOAL President, Brian Downey.

GOAL serves as a safe haven for members to discuss their needs and concerns in a comfortable atmosphere without fear. "There have been times when the passenger seat of my car was a safe haven for people experiencing acts of discrimination or bullying," said Downey.

GOAL NY's mission is:

1. To support active duty and retired Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer ("LGBTQ") criminal justice professionals and other personnel of recognized law enforcement institutions;

2. To educate and provide sensitivity training for non-LGBTQ criminal justice professionals and services to the LGBTQ community at large; and

3. To promote a positive relationship between the criminal justice community and the LGBTQ community through a variety of community services and educational forums, with an emphasis on the principles of justice, equity, and equality.

"There is no difference between a straight cop and a gay cop in New York City," said Sergeant Ana Arboleda, Vice President of GOAL. Arboleda went on to admit that GOAL has been and continues to be a positive force in her life.

GOAL NY is proud to be both a positive force in the larger LGBTQ community and an instrument of change to fight homophobic attitudes in the criminal justice community and elsewhere.

Discover more Pride coverage at abc7ny.com/pride.