Political groups that advocate for LGBTQ+ people are pushing Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders to include millions of more dollars in the budget for health care programs that serve the community — especially for transgender youth.
Stonewall Democratic Club of New York City, NYC Pride and Power and Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn sent a letter to Hochul, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie asking for more in the budget for transgender people who cannot access health care and funding for HIV/AIDS housing, prevention and treatment.
The effort comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order this month banning transgender athletes to compete in girls' and women's sporting events and ordered the federal government to define sex as only male or female, including on all official government documents.
"In light of recent attacks on the LGBTQ community, specifically those targeting transgender Americans, we call on you to deliver increased support for organizations working to support trans New Yorkers as they navigate the new hurdles faced in health care access, including gender-affirming care, HIV/AIDS epidemic by expanding treatment and prevention," they wrote.
The groups want a dedicated funding stream to hold health facilities accountable to continue care for transgender youth after Trump signed an exectuvie order on Jan. 28 to direct hospitals to immediately cease providing gender-affirming care to minors.
State Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit challenging the order, arguing it violates the state Constitution and anti-discrimination ordinances.
They also want $8 million for the Lorena Borjas Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund and more for HIV/AIDS housing and treatment in case of significant federal cuts to Medicaid.
"It is critical to the health and safety of New Yorkers that your office take a strong stance in rejecting these health care providers’ abdication of responsibility, and work to ensure that trans New Yorkers — including trans youth and their families from other states who are moving here to escape oppression — have access to this life-saving care," they wrote. "...Throughout your tenures in public office, you have been staunch allies of the LGBTQ community, attending rallies, parades and events with many of our organizations. As we enter a challenging and scary chapter for our community, now is the time to once again demonstrate your dedication to protecting the marginalized and vulnerable in our community."
Earlier this month, Hochul told reporters the attorney general's lawsuits against the order and the potential federal funding freeze stand up for the LGBTQ community, and noted that New York is the birthplace of the movement.
"We will never shirk our responsibility to protect [LGBTQ] individuals and their rights," the governor said.