Plans for LGBT Memorial Unveiled by New York's Governor Cuomo

New York's Governor Andrew Cuomo kicked off LGBT Pride on Sunday by unveiling design plans for a monument honoring the LGBT community.

"From Stonewall to marriage equality, New York has always been a beacon for justice and we will never waiver in our commitment to the LGBT community and to creating a more just and inclusive society," Governor Cuomo said on Sunday. "This new monument will stand up for those values for generations to come."

The monument, which will be located in Manhattan's west side in Hudson River Park is the work of the LGBT Memorial Commission established by the Governor in 2016. After reviewing numerous submissions based on creativity, originality, quality of artistic composition and constructibility, the commission choose the piece proposed by artist Anthony Goicolea.

"This monument will serve as a communal space filled with light, color, and hope where the visitors can sit, mourn, love, and remember for years to come," said Goicolea.

According to the governor's office, Goicolea's vision will feature nine modified boulders, some of which are bisected with a clear, laminated, borosilicate-glass with refractory components that act as a prism to create subtle rainbow patterns on the surrounding lawn and nearby objects."

In addition to honoring the LGBT community, the memorial will honor those lost in the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting in June 2016, and "victims of hate, intolerance, and violence."