Local LGBTQ+ Group Disbands Following Arrest of Founder

In a small central New York town, the local LGBTQ+ advocacy group, Cazenovia Pride Inc., announced the cancellation of their pride parade after the arrest of their founder. Travis J. Longo, aged 46 and from Cazenovia, faced serious allegations involving sexually explicit communications with children under the age of 12.

New York State Police reported that Longo had been charged with multiple misdemeanor counts for endangering the welfare of a child. While specific details surrounding the allegations were limited, authorities are seeking information from the public to aid in their investigation.

The organization shared their decision on social media, stating, “Cazenovia Pride Inc. has canceled this year’s Pride Festival and all related events and is disbanding as an organization.” They further emphasized that Longo would no longer be affiliated with Cazenovia Pride Inc.

Interestingly, Longo was recently elected to the Cazenovia School District Board of Education in 2024. This raises some eyebrows, given the current circumstances.

Beyond his work with the pride group, Longo also engaged in the drag community, performing under the name “Anita Buffem,” and had reportedly participated as a hostess in local pride events.

In their statement, the group expressed deep regret for the impact this situation has had on the community. “We apologize for the pain and disappointment this has caused,” they said, adding gratitude for the years of support they received from community members.

Cazenovia itself is a small town with a population of around 6,700 in Madison County. As of now, there has been no response from Longo or the school board regarding these developments.