Gov. Hochul signs legislation establishing New York as safe haven for transgender youth
Hochul signed a package of bills that are all aimed at protecting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
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New York is now considered a safe haven state for transgender youth.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the legislation Sunday to kick off the 2023 Pride Parade in Manhattan.
The legislation is a huge win for the LGBTQ+ community here in New York. Hochul signed a package of bills that are all aimed at protecting their rights.
The first one establishes New York as a safe haven for transgender youth.
Hochul said she hopes New York can set the template for other states to follow suit.
"We've come here to say we are reaffirming our 1000% support for this magnificent community, our brothers and sisters here today," Hochul said.
The bill protects access to gender-affirming care as well as medical providers and prevents law enforcement agencies from sharing information that could target transgender youth.
Three current laws were also updated to change outdated terminology used on state documents to describe LGBTQ+ people.
"We'll always be that beacon to the rest of the nation on how to do it right. From Seneca Falls to Stonewall, we've stood up for people from the very beginning," Hochul said.
State senators, Attorney General Letitia James and one of the grand marshals of the parade, Billy Porter, joined Hochul at the signing.
"New York is not going backwards. We are going forward. We will defend the progress we've made, and we are going to build upon that, and if you are being persecuted by the laws in your state, you can find a safe haven here," Porter said.
Just earlier this month, Hochul appointed the first openly transgender judge.
