Petition: Support LGBTQ Justice in NY!

Background

While the 2022 New York State legislative session has included a historic funding increase for the LGBT Health & Human Services Network, we still have work to do to pass urgent LGBTQ-affirming legislation before the legislative session ends in June! By continuing to deepen our advocacy, working alongside state legislators, and by working to amplify the needs of our communities, we are committed to building a New York that protects, affirms, and celebrates all LGBTQ people.

That’s why we still need your support for:

Gender Identity Respect, Dignity, and Safety Act (S6677/A7001-A): New Yorkers who identify across the gender spectrum continue to experience profound barriers to safe environments to be who they are without discrimination and mistreatment. This bill requires state and local correctional facilities to house trans, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary (TGNCNB) people consistently with their gender identities, and ensures that correctional officers and staff address people by their correct names and pronouns. It also guarantees access to commissary items, clothing, and other materials that are consistent with gender identities.

• • Take additional action: Join the ACLU of New York in telling lawmakers to save lives by protecting TGNCNB people in jails and prisons.

Comprehensive Sex Education in Schools (S2584A/A6616): There is currently no requirement that New York schools teach sex education—and many don’t. Of the public schools across New York that do provide sex-ed, the curriculum is often inaccurate, incomplete, and stigmatizing. LGBTQ students, for example, are largely stigmatized or ignored entirely, and curriculum materials often reinforce negative gender bias and stereotypes. This legislation requires public schools to teach medically accurate, inclusive, K-12 comprehensive sex education that is age-appropriate and reflects national standards and best practices.

Decriminalization of Sex Work (S3075/A849): This bill seeks to remove policies that criminalize and penalize sex work. Vulnerable groups such as trans women of color, queer people, and immigrants who engage in sex work for their livelihood deserve legal protections that reduce violence and increase safety. Sex workers are disproportionately targets of harassment and abuse from law enforcement, but rarely receive justice when harmed. Criminalizing sex work also often prevents sex workers from being able to access health care and other critical health services.

LGBT Long-Term Care Facility Bill of Rights (A7807/S85): This bill would ensure that LGBTQ elders in long-term care facilities are protected from discrimination by requiring staff who interact with residents to be trained on the best practices for caring for LGBTQ older people.

The creation of a Transgender & Gender Nonconforming (TGNC) Wellness and Equity Fund to support organizations led by TGNC individuals and to help foster new leadership through capacity building.

Funding for the LGBT Health & Human Services Network, which would support 70 organizations that provide free and low-cost, affirming health care services to LGBTQ people statewide.

Petition Delivery

This petition is created in partnership with Equality New York and the NEW Pride Agenda. It will be delivered to New York State legislators on May 18. For more information about The Center’s RiseOut advocacy initiative, and to learn how you can get involved, visit gaycenter.org/advocacy.​