LI Pride Lions members share mission to help

The LI Pride Lions Club is making waves in Long Island’s LGBTQ community with its dedication to service, fundraising and community engagement. Founded two years ago, the club has quickly become a hub for those passionate about making a difference.

The club convened for its monthly meeting on Feb. 22 at the Halo nightclub in Oceanside.

Its president, Michael Caputo, of Oyster Bay, initially joined because he wanted to get more involved.

“I’ve always wanted to do more volunteer work, and I was lacking in that department,” Caputo said. “I met a group of guys one night at NuBar, which is another gay bar located in Farmingdale, and they were starting a Lions Club, and they’re allowing us to be ourselves. I said, sign me up.”

Lions Clubs International’s mission is to empower volunteers to serve their communities, and their five most important causes are vision, hunger, diabetes, cancer and the environment. The organization encourages special clubs, like LI Pride Lions, which has a mission of its own: to provide support and assistance to LGBTQ organizations across Long Island. Through a variety of events, it raises funds for charities and community projects.

“It’s never easy to start a new club, and we’re only about two years out, but already we have an amazing group of people,” Caputo said. “We have a solid board of directors. We try to do at least four big events a year, all fundraising or service activities, and we have a great time doing it.”

The club has nearly 50 dues-paying members, and meets at different locations across Nassau County. “Everyone’s welcome to come to a meeting,” Caputo said. “There’s no pressure to sign up and become an official member. The goal is to always make sure we have plenty in the charity account so when people come to us in need, we’re able to help them out.”

One of the club’s main events is an annual Tea Dance fundraiser, which was held in September. In the LGBTQ community, a tea dance is a cocktail party that serves as a safe space, where community members are not ostracized for their life choices.

LI Pride Lions also organizes a bowling fundraiser and an annual comedy night, which this year took place Feb 18 at Governor’s Comedy Club in Levittown. A partnership with the Massapequa and Massapequa Park Lions clubs, the comedy fundraiser sold almost 300 tickets.

LI Pride Lions members hope to pave the way for the establishment of more LGBTQ Lions clubs worldwide.

Anthony Paradiso, a judge in Nassau County’s 2nd District Court, an international director of the Lions organization and a 25-year member of the Rockville Centre Lions Club, is a friend of LI Pride Lions and has served as a “guiding lion.”

“I was very friendly with people in this community, and I knew that there was a need in this community,” Paradiso said, “and I thought that it was important that we expand our reach as Lions and include very important members of the community who are underrepresented. I check on this club, because it’s doing a great job. They’re growing every time they have a meeting … They do great service, raising a lot of money for charities that are important to the community … That’s important to the community as well. Not just raising funds, but they’re also doing service.”

At Thanksgiving, the club volunteered for Harvest for the World, a nonprofit serving the disadvantaged in Roosevelt. Members handed out food and toys to those in need for the holidays. LI Pride Lions members also volunteer at shelters and soup kitchens.

The club welcomes those from all walks of life, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and collaboration. Its vice president, Peter Kontos, of Howard Beach, has been friends with Paradiso for years. “I had no desire to be a Lion,” Kontos acknowledged, “but when Anthony suggested this type of club, it sparked my interest.”

As it looks toward the future, the club remains focused on service, advocacy and community-building. With each event and project, its members are more committed to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for LGBTQ people across Long Island. More information can be found on its social media channels.