ALBANY, N.Y. (July 1, 2022) – “As Pride Month comes to an end, I want New Yorkers to know that our dedication to promoting and protecting the health, well-being, and human rights of our LGBTQ+ community members is more important than ever. Through this month’s celebrations, I am personally reminded that my task – and the shared task of public servants – is to uphold our State’s national leadership in safeguarding the diversity and equality of every New Yorker, with dignity and respect.
We are making meaningful progress, but there is still more to do. By studying the health challenges facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender non-conforming New Yorkers, we will design and develop programming based on identified needs. New and annual funding will be deployed to increase the support we provide for LGBTQ+-affirming health care and supportive service providers, so they can expand their capacity, resources, and infrastructure. Today and every day, we thank them for all that they do to care for this community day in and day out.
Thanks to community-based organizations statewide, we have partners that enable us to maintain an open dialogue with LGBTQ+ New Yorkers so we can increase access to welcoming, affirming, and evidenced-based health education, human services, and holistic, quality care. The Department will show up for the LGBTQ+ community, and we look forward to celebrating the upcoming Black Pride events in New York this August.
Building a healthier, more equitable New York requires us to care for every individual, exactly as they are. To LGBTQ+ New Yorkers: we celebrate you, we honor you, and we will continue to work to ensure this State cares for you by building a public health and health care system – free of stigma – that is inclusive, sensitive, and most of all: just.”
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June 2022
