Anthony Brown

Chianese & Reilly Law, P.C. is a full service, Long Island based law firm with over 25 years of experience and dedication to the tri-state area. Practice areas include matrimonial and family law, malpractice and personal injury litigation, real estate, trusts and estates and LGBT family and estates law. Anthony M. Brown, Esq. - Anthony currently is a senior associate with the law firm of Chianese & Reilly Law, P.C., heading their LGBT Family and Estates Law division serving married and unmarried individuals, couples and families in Manhattan and on Long Island. Anthony is the Board Chairman of Men Having Babies, a non-profit organization created to assist gay men looking to create families through surrogacy with educational and financial assistance. Anthony was the Executive Director of The Wedding Party and was a Board member since its inception in 1999. The Wedding Party was a non-profit educational organization that educated the public about marriage and its importance to all citizens through outreach programs and strategic media placement. Anthony is the founder of TimeForFamilies.com, a web environment dedicated to assisting gay and lesbian couples create their own families. Anthony is also a legal consultant for Family By Design, a co-parenting information and matching website. Anthony worked as a legal intern for Lambda Legal in the summer of 2002. While there he helped to prepare briefing for the landmark case of Lawrence v. Texas and his research was quoted specifically in Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's concurring opinion. Anthony also worked as a law guardian at The Children’s Law Center, representing the legal needs of children in Brooklyn Family Court. Anthony graduated from Brooklyn Law School, where he served as research assistant to Nan Hunter, the founder of The Gay and Lesbian Project at the ACLU. Anthony is a member of The Family Law Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the New York County Lawyers Association and the committee for assisted reproduction of the American Bar Association. Anthony and his husband were the subjects of CNN's, "In America, Gary and Tony Have a Baby," a 2010 documentary about their journey of having a child through surrogacy. Thirty-five years. It’s a milestone that speaks volumes – of resilience, evolution, and an unwavering commitment to a community that deserves to see itself reflected with pride and panache. For Metrosource Magazine, reaching this incredible anniversary isn’t just about marking time; it’s a vibrant celebration of a journey that began in the late ‘80s, blossoming from a humble local business directory into a national beacon for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. From its very first issue, Metrosource understood a fundamental truth: the queer experience is multifaceted, rich, and diverse. It wasn’t content to simply report on headlines; it aimed to live within the community it served, celebrating its triumphs, exploring its challenges, and championing its voices. In a media landscape that was often either silent or sensationalist about LGBTQ+ lives, Metrosource carved out a unique space, offering sophisticated, engaging, and utterly authentic content. It became a trusted friend, a stylish guide, and a powerful advocate, all rolled into one glossy package. The Early Days                    Imagine New York City in the late ‘80s. The LGBTQ+ community was navigating a complex era, marked by both growing visibility and the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic. It was against this backdrop that Metrosource emerged, initially as a local publication focused on the thriving gay scene in Manhattan. Its pages were filled with listings for the hottest clubs, reviews of the latest plays, and features on local personalities making a difference. But even then, there was an underlying mission: to elevate and empower. It quickly became an essential read, a directory of queer life, and a much-needed source of connection. As the years turned, Metrosource began to expand its horizons, both geographically and editorially. It recognized that the LGBTQ+ narrative wasn’t confined to a single city, and neither should its reach be. Slowly but surely, it began to grow, adding new markets and deepening its exploration of topics ranging from politics and health to travel, home design, and entertainment. This expansion wasn’t just about increasing circulation; it was about building a broader community, connecting queer people across the nation with shared stories and experiences. A Who’s Who of Iconic Covers One of Metrosource’s most enduring legacies is its ability to attract and feature some of the biggest names in entertainment, activism, and culture. A Metrosource cover isn’t just a photograph; it’s a statement. It’s a declaration of solidarity, a moment of connection between a star and a community that often sees itself on the fringes of mainstream media. Looking back through the archives is like flipping through a yearbook of modern pop culture, infused with a distinct queer sensibility.                 Think about the sheer star power that has graced its covers. The legendary Liza Minnelli whose connection to the queer community runs deep, has appeared multiple times, always with her signature blend of glamour and candidness. These weren’t just promotional appearances; they were often heartfelt conversations, revealing the artists’ personal insights and their genuine support for LGBTQ+ rights. Then there’s the indomitable Cyndi Lauper, a long-time ally and fierce advocate, whose vibrant personality practically leaps off the page. Her interviews have consistently championed equality and celebrated individuality, resonating deeply with Metrosource readers. The magazine has also been a platform for actors who have played pivotal roles in bringing queer stories to life, or who themselves are out and proud. Neil Patrick Harris his charm and candor, has graced the cover, sharing insights into his life and career as an openly gay performer and family man. His presence signifies a shift towards greater visibility and acceptance within Hollywood, a narrative Metrosource has always been keen to explore. Musical icons like Adam Lambert have also found a welcoming home on Metrosource’s cover. His unapologetic artistry and journey as an openly gay rock star have provided powerful inspiration, and Metrosource has been there to capture his evolution and impact. And how can we forget the unforgettable Dolly Parton an undisputed legend and beloved ally, whose interviews always offer a dose of her signature wisdom and warmth. The pages of Metrosource have also featured trailblazers like Billy Porter, whose fierce fashion and powerful performances have redefined what it means to be a queer icon. His presence on the cover is a testament to the magazine’s commitment to showcasing groundbreaking artists who are pushing boundaries and inspiring new generations. Even pop sensations like Troye Sivan have been featured, representing the younger generation of openly queer artists who are shaping the future of music and media. The list goes on to include a pantheon of queer legends. The one and only RuPaul, who has transformed drag into a global cultural phenomenon, has been featured in Metrosource’s pages, embodying the magazine’s commitment to showcasing the power and glamour of queer artistry. His presence underscores the shift of drag from a marginalized art form to a celebrated, mainstream cultural force—a journey Metrosource has always been keen to chart.                      Then there’s the global superstar Ricky Martin, whose courageous public coming-out moment resonated deeply across the world. Metrosource has featured his compelling story, celebrating his journey from a closeted Latin pop sensation to an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a proud family man. His interviews have consistently highlighted the importance of living authentically, a core tenet of the magazine’s philosophy. And speaking of iconic personalities, Metrosource has proudly showcased the wit and wisdom of actors like Leslie Jordan. His unique charm and hilarious storytelling made him a beloved figure, and his appearances in Metrosource captured his infectious spirit and his profound connection to the queer community, which he so often celebrated with genuine affection. Similarly, the brilliant Jane Lynch, with her commanding presence and sharp comedic timing, has graced the cover, offering candid insights into her career and life as an openly lesbian actress. Her interviews have always been a masterclass in authenticity and humor, […] 23 years ago, Metrosource published “A Gun in the Closet,” an article recounting the lives of 3 LGBTQ youth and the issues they were facing. Moved by the piece, Leo Preziosi decided to do something to continue the efforts to protect LGBTQ+ youth in response to the extremely high suicide rates. He formed Live Out Loud, a nonprofit dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ youth ages 13 to 18 by partnering with families, schools, and communities to provide resources, role models, and opportunities for our at-risk community youth. After two decades of success, the organization presented its 23rd Annual Trailblazers Gala last month, bringing together donors, corporate supporters, election officials, and youth scholarship winners to celebrate the organization’s life-affirming educational programming. At the event, 3 LGBTQ+ seniors were awarded the Live Out Loud Young Trailblazers Scholarship Award towards the college of their choice. The event also honored LGBTQ+ mentors, role models, and community builders. Truly inspiring work from just one article. We caught up with Live Out Loud Founder and Executive Director Leo Preziosi after this monumental event. You were inspired by an article in Metrosource, “Gun in the Closet,” to create the organization. What compelled you so much to get involved and start a whole non-profit? The title, “Gun in the Closet” stopped me dead in my tracks. I read those four words and knew what the article was going to be about. I couldn’t face reading it, so I placed it under my bed. Sometime later I opened it and read the article. I read about Robbie and Bill, who came from loving and supporting families who were struggling with their individual circumstances and very sadly, as we hear too often, took their own lives. What hit me the hardest was that the article spoke about the dreams and aspirations they had for their lives. I felt a sense of dread that their dreams would never be realized, dreams that could have impacted the world and changed hundreds, maybe millions of lives. Was Robbie on the path to becoming the next Neil Patrick Harris??? Was Bill on his way to becoming the next Bayard Rustin? We will never know. After reading that part, that’s when I knew had had to step forward and do something. For me it was a simple task, let’s bring the generations together so queer youth could learn from the elders of the community, elders being anyone from college and beyond. Through the years I saw just how much the elders were learning from the younger generation. Our entire community was benefiting from the programs and conversations that we were initiating. What were some of the biggest challenges in the early years in getting the word out for Live Out Loud? I never ran a nonprofit before. I studied photography and fashion design and found myself years later working in marketing and special events for a retail store named Felissimo, which was a tremendous help to me in planning fundraisers for the last 23 years. I was learning from the ground up. I had no idea how a nonprofit ran or how it was structured. It was overwhelming and complicated. It was a very scary time. I took workshops, did research, and went around meeting with the Executive Directors of HMI and GLSEN. I wasn’t planning on creating a nonprofit, it just evolved organically.  How did starting this organization change your life in those early years? It was a very special time. When I shared the idea for the work I was doing with friends and colleagues, they were all very eager to step in and help. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It also made me much more aware of the challenges that queer youth were facing in the early 2000s. When I left high school, I never looked back. I had no interest in school reunions and had no knowledge of the alarming statistics facing our students. Through research and conversations with community members serving LGBTQ+ youth, it made me much more aware. Now, 23 years later, what are the current biggest challenges? Where do I begin? We’re a small grassroots operation that operates locally for the time being, in all five boroughs of Manhattan. We’re competing with national organizations with a large development, operations, and communications staff. When corporations look to sponsor a nonprofit, they get more exposure from a national organization than from a local organization. So, they prefer to go national and not just local. I hear that a lot. What was your personal coming out story and personal experience as an LGBTQ youth? My high school years were a time filled with fear. It was a daily feeling that overcame me at the start of each day, from getting on the school bus, sitting in homeroom, walking the hallways, and taking gym or shop class. I never knew when the verbal assaults would take place. It was like dodging bullets. I was on guard all the time. It was something I lived with every day. After much therapy, I concluded that I had to start the process of coming out, especially to my parents. I remember taking a 3-day workshop titled “Coming Out” or something like that. The facilitators shared that after the 3 days, you would have the opportunity to write letters to your family and share your coming out story. I knew I would never do that, but I also knew that this workshop was the next step in me accepting that I was gay. It turned out to be an amazing 3 days, so much so that I wrote a 17-page letter to my father and a 16-page letter to my mother sharing who I was, their gay son, as well as many other things I was going through. I mailed the letters on a Monday. I was living in NYC at the time and my parents were on Long Island. I knew by Thursday that they would have received the letters. That day my phone rang, […]