City Council caucus announces comprehensive plan to protect LGBTQ+ community
NEW YORK -- Local leaders say they're finding ways to celebrate Pride in a time of anti-LGBTQ legislation in parts of the country.
On Wednesday, the City Council's LGBTQ+ Caucus announced a major policy plan that includes recommendations on how the city can better protect the community.
Family members and local leaders honored the contributions of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, who were leaders of the gay rights liberation movement during the Stonewall riots in 1969.
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They continue to inspire activism and now a new LGBTQ policy has been named in their honor -- the Marsha and Sylvia Plan.
"I want to just take a moment to acknowledge all of the trans elders that never got to live to see this report," said Mariah Lopez of the Strategic Transgender Alliance for Radical Reform.
It's a roadmap, the first comprehensive plan tackling a wide range of LGBTQ issues.
"It's addressing every single area, from health care to housing to arts and culture to education," City Councilmember Crystal Hudson said.
It offers protections, as anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and bans increase around the country.
"The rising hate, the transphobia, the homophobia," Councilmember Tiffany Caban said.
Organizers say some of that hate is spreading in New York City, too. For example, at Drag Story Hour readings.
"We have experienced immense amount of protests, threats and intentionally directed hate. This behavior is not to be normalized," Drag Story Hour's Alice Morino said.
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The policy includes nine pieces of legislation that tackle homelessness among LGBTQ youth and also to assist vulnerable LGBTQ seniors.
"Mandate the city create LGBTQ shelters within all five boroughs. Currently, there's only one within New York City that's specifically for LGBTQ people," Councilmember Chi Osse said.
"Our mission is to see New York City's older adults in safe, welcoming housing they can afford, with access to health and mental health services," said Paul Nagle, executive director of the Stonewall Community Development Corporation.
From the plan, there are dozens of bills that are all in different phases of passage before the City Council.
"We know this will take a lot of work and a lot of fight, but we are ready to be in this fight as we've been for 40 years. We hope to be a part of pushing this council to make this plan better every day," said Vladimir Martinez of The Center.
"Let us march forward not just on June 7 but every day, hand in hand, until the day when our liberation is complete," said TS Candii of Black Trans Nation.
Advocates are also looking to create an office of LGBTQ affairs and bring more LGBTQ representation to government.
