During Pride Month, Governor Hochul Announces $33.5 Million Investment to Support New York's LGBTQ+ Community

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the availability of $33.5 million to increase support for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, including additional investments in the transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming communities that expand and build on the progress of the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund. The FY 2024 Budget includes $20 million for LGBTQ+ affirming senior housing projects, $5 million of which is specifically for gender affirming housing projects that support transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals. The investment also includes $12.5 million to help the American LGBTQ+ Museum secure a new, permanent home at the New-York Historical Society, as well as $1 million in youth suicide prevention funding to support TGNCNB New Yorkers.

"As other states work to strip away the rights of LGBTQ+ people, New York is more committed than ever to protecting, supporting, and uplifting this community," Governor Hochul said. "From mental health care to supportive housing, my administration is working tirelessly to find holistic solutions to address the inequities and injustices faced by LGBTQ+ New Yorkers and will continue working to address the unique challenges facing the trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming community."

Today's announcement highlights $20 million included in the FY 2024 Budget to be made available for LGBTQ+ affirming senior housing projects through New York State Homes and Community Renewal, $5 million of which will be specifically for gender affirming housing projects that support TGNCNB individuals. This funding recognizes that older LGBTQ+ New Yorkers face distinct challenges in accessing affordable and affirming housing and often have concerns about being mistreated by housing providers and neighbors alike.

This increase expands state agency funds serving the TGNCNB community to $3 million for FY 2024, building upon the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund. This additional funding, which represents a 50% increase in state agency allocations toward this important program, will be aimed at community-based agencies working to lower the suicide risk for young TGNCNB New Yorkers at a critical time, as recent research suggests the suicide rate among transgender individuals is approximately three and a half times that of the general population.

Governor Hochul's FY 2024 budget also includes $7.5 million in capital funding to help the American LGBTQ+ Museum secure a new, permanent home. The LGBTQ+ Museum will be located at the New-York Historical Society, occupying the top floor of a new multi-story wing that is currently under development. Earlier this month, Governor Hochul announced an additional $5 million award for the New-York Historical Society through the New York State Council on the Arts' Large Capital Improvement Grants program. The NYSCA grant will support the ongoing expansion project and the creation of the LGBTQ+ Museum, which is slated to open in 2026.

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "HCR is proud to play a role in this nation-leading effort to build on the Governor's commitment to serve and protect TGNCNB New Yorkers and to invest in their right to fair and quality housing that meets their needs. Providing housing for these individuals will change lives and help make New York a safer and more equitable place for all to call home."

New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said, "OMH is proud to support transgender and gender non-confirming New Yorkers, who unfortunately face a significantly higher risk of depression, substance use, and suicide. Thanks to the strong leadership of Governor Hochul, OMH is working to ensure that all the residents of our State, and particularly those who have been underserved in the past, have access to the behavioral healthcare they need."

New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Mara Manus said, "As New York plays a pivotal role in the history of the LBGTQ+ community, NYSCA is thrilled to be able to support the home of the American LGBTQ+ Museum at the New-York Historical Society with capital funding. All of our lives are enriched and strengthened when we celebrate our communities and recognize their individual histories, identities and culture. NYSCA applauds the Governor for her demonstrated commitment to protecting the health and welfare of the LBGTQ+ community."

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, "I applaud Governor Hochul for working with Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and our Assembly partners to prioritize the needs of the LGBTQ community by building on the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Gender Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund and securing millions of dollars for the new American LGBTQ+ Museum in my Senate district, helping ensure that our community's history is never forgotten. With LGBTQ people being attacked in statehouses across the country, I'm proud that New York is standing strong with our community."

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said, "Creating a museum dedicated to the history and culture of the LGBTQIA+ community is the epitome of New York values. As state legislatures across the country introduce and pass hostile pieces of legislation rolling back the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, New York State continues to be a safe haven for all. I am proud to have been part of the successful effort to secure much-needed funding in this year's state budget for the very first permanent LGTBQIA+ museum, which will be housed at the New-York Historical Society within my Assembly district. By establishing a site where people from around the globe can explore and learn about the gay rights movement, we will honor the experiences and challenges this community has faced while also celebrating their perseverance and achievements. This museum will become a point of pride, not just for our city and our state, but for the entire LGBTQIA+ community."

Elisa Crespo, Executive Director of the NEW Pride Agenda said, "The Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund started as a call to action to equitably fund and resource organizations that are serving New York's robust Transgender and Gender expansive community. Today, the fund is a multi-agency, multi-million dollar investment that will support the organizations working to improve our community's health and well being. We are excited about the expansion of the fund into the State Office of Mental Health - a form of care that our community has exceedingly been in need of. We look forward to the future of the fund, as we work to tackle more social and economic issues plaguing our community. We applaud the leadership of our state for working in partnership to make this intentional investment a reality."

Amanda Babine, Executive Director of Equality New York said, "This pride season has been a historic one. Thanks to Governor Hochul this June we have enacted a record number of pro-LGBTQI pieces of legislation here in New York, the opposite of what's happening nationally."

Melissa Sklarz, Political Director of Equality New York said, "Pride 2023 comes to an end building on prior achievements and successes. I am grateful to Governor Hochul for signing the Trans Safe Haven bill reminding all that New York will continue to be a bright beacon for trans people and their families. I am grateful for the legislature for continuing to fund the Lorena Borjas Health and Education Fund, bringing equity to trans work throughout the state. Pride is about liberation and justice, but in the center, in New York, there is always a large dollop of joy.

Lynn Faria, Executive Vice President of SAGE said, "Governor Hochul's demonstrated support of the LGBTQ+ community across generations is a meaningful capstone to Pride month. SAGE applauds the Governor for her commitment to spur the development of more LGBTQ+-welcoming affordable elder housing across the state. Tragically, New York's LGBTQ+ elder pioneers experience heightened levels of financial insecurity and housing instability. With this critical support from the Governor, more LGBTQ+ elders will soon be able to access the safe and affirming elder housing they so richly deserve."

Ben Garcia, Executive Director of the American LGBTQ+ Museum said, "This funding for our state's first museum of LGBTQ+ history and culture is a clear statement to New Yorkers, and the people who will visit from across the country and globe, that our histories matter. It is an investment by our elected leaders in the notion that LGBTQ+ youth and families deserve spaces where they can connect to ancestral wisdom and carry it forward."

Dr. Louise Mirrer, President and CEO of New-York Historical Society said, "We're incredibly grateful for Governor Hochul's commitment to our work at the New-York Historical Society as we continue to share LGBTQ+ history with a wider audience through our exhibitions and programs. The recent capital funding from New York State is a vital part of our expansion project as we erect a new wing, which will welcome the American LGBTQ+ Museum under our roof."

Glennda Testone, Executive Director of New York City's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center said, "The Center is excited to honor Pride Month with Governor Hochul, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, Assemblymember Bronson, and so many community partners, by enthusiastically declaring that New York State is a safe haven for trans youth and their families. As some parts of our country turn increasingly toward rejecting LGBTQ+ young people, New York State is taking important, affirmative measures to meet the need for safe access to gender-affirming resources. We look forward to building upon the success of this Pride season to make a New York for us all."

Ahead of this year's annual Pride March in New York City, Governor Hochul signed a groundbreaking new law that makes New York a "safe haven" for the trans community by ensuring New York will protect trans youth, their parents and their doctors and another law which protects their right to receive addiction treatment and rehabilitation. The Governor also signed three new laws that update legal documents in New York to remove outdated and stigmatizing terminology.

In December 2022, Governor Hochul signed a legislative package to address health care disparities in the LGBTQ+ community. By allowing runaway and homeless youth under 18 to make their own health care decisions (legislation A.9604/S.8937) and better equipping nurse and home health aides to work with LGBTQ+ populations (legislation A.1880A/S.2534A), these laws expanded protections in health care settings for individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. The Governor also signed legislation that requires that any insurance policy that provides coverage for prescription drugs includes coverage for the cost of PrEP and PEP - two important tools for preventing the spread of HIV.

Contact the Governor's Press Office