Emily Giske
If you’re like every other LGBT American who celebrated the passage of New York’s Marriage Equality Act, you can thank Emily Giske for her part in it. As a government affairs specialist, Giske lobbies for causes as well as corporations, nonprofits and local municipalities to secure megafunding for projects; she also negotiates deals and navigates legislation on behalf of public and private interests. Last June, she was one of the lead lobbyists working to make New York the sixth state to legalize marriage equality, collaborating with Fight Back New York and the Empire State Pride Agenda. “Passing marriage equality in New York with friends and colleagues that care deeply about the LGBT community, just in time to celebrate it at NYC’s Pride Parade, felt like we all worked towards a truly historic moment,” Giske remembers. In her role as political advisor, she has influenced campaigns throughout New York State, from grassroots efforts to statewide battles. “We are a growing voice in politics and government and our voice was heard when we brought Marriage Equality to New York State,” Giske says. “Keep going because there is nothing we cannot do.”
