Last month on National Coming Out Day, Zoran Mamdani made a direct message to LGBTQ voters. He released video tribute to Sylvia Riveraicon of the trans liberation movement of the 1970s. He shared not only Rivera's story, but also her struggles, honoring her heritage by making historic vows for the health and well-being of gay New Yorkers.
He will succeed a mayor who revered Donald Trump and repeated his anti-transgender nonsense. Mamdani's victory is a reversal of the Trump administration's scorched earth campaign to ostracize, demonize and marginalize the LGBT community, including here in New York. We must take this moment to strengthen not only our city, but our entire state, from ongoing extremist attacks on our health care and welfare, because our reputation as a “safe state” is a myth.
The US Department of Education made took New York City public school funding hostagedemanding the repeal of anti-discrimination protections as ransom. Trump decided to withhold funding from hospitals in exchange for ending gender-affirming care. NYU Langone Shamefully Stops Life-Saving Treatment.
And Trump supporters here in New York are carrying out this hateful campaign locally: in Nassau County, the leader insists on a transport banand school officials removing protections for trans students.
We cannot forget that these attacks are inextricably linked to violence against transgender people. This Trans Memorial DayAs we celebrate today, we think about the lives cut short. We bear the name Sam Nordquista trans man who was brutally tortured and murdered in upstate New York. We keep life in our memories Caitlin Benoittrans student from Rochester who committed suicide. These tragedies remind us that anti-trans policies directly linked to increased self-harm among trans youth.
In the wake of the tragedy, advocates turned pain into purpose, securing significant investments in trans well-being to address historic economic and health inequalities.
This year, New York State expanded the Lorena Borjas Transgender Health and Equality Fund (TWEF), the nation's second statewide fund supporting transgender-led organizations. The Legislature and Governor increased FY 2026 appropriations by $500,000, representing an annual investment totaling $4.75 million, giving TWEF organizations more resources for their health, housing and workforce development programs.
Later that year, New York City continued this progress: under the leadership of allies in the Council's LGBTQIA+ faction, the Big Apple. allocated nearly $14 million for vital public services. This includes a first-ever target of US$3.5 million for gender-affirming care, a critical response to Trump's attempts to freeze institutional resources offering this vital assistance.
And Mamdani's campaign had promised to develop these investments by creating an Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs and expanding access to gender-affirming care. He also promised to strengthen our LGBTQ sanctuary laws, strengthening the rights of gay New Yorkers.
Yet statewide, we remain extremely vulnerable to attack, and gaping gaps in health care and housing remain.
First, it is critical to pass and enforce the PROTECT Act 2.0, a policy to protect patients receiving reproductive and gender-affirming care from out-of-state investigations. The measure runs counter to the Trump administration's law against service providers. Over the summer, the U.S. Department of Justice subpoenaed confidential medical records from more than 20 hospitals and physician practices offering gender affirming care. Private institutions from California To Massachusetts have already given in to this pressure. We must strengthen our own shield.
Ahead of the next state legislative session, Albany leaders must redouble their commitment to trans wellness to serve the entire state. This is especially true in the northern part of the state, where gay health care providers are few and new New Yorkers fleeing a repressive environment are looking for care and connection. State leaders can meet this moment by supporting TWEF and dedicating funding for gender-affirming care, protecting us from federal efforts to weaponize health care resources.
At 1 a.m. on the last day of early voting, Mamdani made a statement. surprise visit to a gay bar in Brooklyn. From behind the DJ booth, he again addressed gay New Yorkers directly, saying, “In a city where there's so much struggle, it's so important to have a place for joy.”
His presence and his words spoke to the pain and purpose of the trans experience, reflecting the spirit of a community on the edge. This Transgender Day of Remembrance, we must honor those we have lost by channeling that momentum into progress and making our state a true beacon for queer New Yorkers.
Williams is the Executive Director of the NEW Pride Agenda, New York's leading LGBTQ rights organization.
