NEW Pride Agenda Rallies with Key New York State Lawmakers to Protect LGBTQIA+ Community from Healthcare-Related Prosecution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2025
Contact:
Max Schulman, max@anatgerstein.com, 347-861-4167
NEW Pride Agenda Rallies with Key New York State Lawmakers to Protect LGBTQIA+ Community from Healthcare-Related Prosecution
— Amid federal- and state-level attacks, advocates and lawmakers demanded ironclad protections for gender-affirming care, repeal of law criminalizing STI transmission —
— Click here for photos and video —
(ALBANY, NY - May 19, 2025) — The NEW Pride Agenda, a statewide LGBTQIA+ advocacy organization, rallied alongside key state lawmakers, advocates, and providers urging the passage of legislation to protect the LGBTQIA+ community from healthcare-related prosecution amid attacks from the Trump administration and hostile states.
Their demands included passing “Shield Law 2.0”, which bolsters New York’s existing shield law, requiring healthcare institutions to secure information that could be used to punish reproductive or gender-affirming care. They also called for the Repeal STI Discrimination Act, which would negate an outdated law that criminalizes HIV positive status.
State lawmakers rallied alongside the NEW Pride Agenda, including Senator Julia Salazar, Assemblymembers Jessica González-Rojas, Emily Gallagher, Mary Jane Shimsky, and a representative from the office of Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. Notably, Senate Majority Leader Andrea-Stuart Cousins joined the call for enhanced protections.
“The Senate Democratic Majority is proud to stand with the New Pride Agenda and all those demanding justice, dignity, and protection for transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary New Yorkers," said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “Since taking the Majority, we’ve fought to make New York a national leader on LGBTQ+ rights from passing GENDA and the conversion therapy ban, to enacting the Gender Recognition Act and protecting access to gender-affirming care. Now, as federal and state-level attacks escalate across the country, it’s more important than ever that we continue this work. We are proud to support the New Pride Agenda’s Day of Action and reaffirm our commitment to protecting the rights, safety, and humanity of LGBTQ+ communities across New York.”
The New York Civil Liberties Union, The Center for HIV Law & Policy, and Legal Action Center co-organized the day. Advocates and providers from Amida Care, Golden Psychology, Chosen Family Law Center, Gender Equality NY, Ali Forney Center, Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts, Volunteer Lawyers Project, and Make The Road NY were also present.
New York passed “shield laws” in 2022 and 2023, which protect patients and providers of reproductive and gender-affirming care from out-of-state investigations. However, key gaps have emerged in New York’s shield laws – namely, that out-of-state actors could access sensitive medical information to further investigations.
S. 4914-A (Hoylman-Sigal) and A. 5480-B (Bronson), AKA “Shield Law 2.0”, addresses this vulnerability in existing law. It mandates hospitals, clinics, and other care providers protect access to sensitive medical information so it cannot be obtained by hostile officials in other states or the federal government. It also clarifies that all professionals involved in the provision of gender-affirming or reproductive healthcare, from nurse practitioners to therapists, are protected from prosecution by our existing shield laws.
The NEW Pride Agenda is also fighting to pass the Repeal STI Discrimination Act, which negates a 116-year old law that criminalizes HIV status. Specifically, it axes Public Health Law 2307, which criminalizes sex among those who know they have STIs. PL 2307 has been disproportionately used to target the LGBTQIA+ community, and the threat of its enforcement has discouraged HIV testing.
“As the Trump administration and hostile state governments vow to punish providers and patients of gender-affirming care, it is imperative that New York establish itself as a beacon by passing legislation to protect the LGBTQIA+ community from prosecution just for seeking healthcare,” said Kei Williams, Executive Director of NEW Pride Agenda. “Shield Law 2.0 will close dangerous loopholes in our existing shield laws, ensuring hostile states cannot threaten the careers of providers and the safety of patients for gender-affirming care. And the Repeal STI Discrimination Act will dismantle an archaic, discriminatory law criminalizing LGBTQIA+ sexual health. We are incredibly grateful that leading state lawmakers are committed to passing this legislation, and we are especially thankful to have the support of Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stuart-Cousins.”
State lawmakers joined the NEW Pride Agenda in the call to enhance protections for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers.
“Since the beginning of the year there have been 575 bills attacking LGBTQ+ Americans introduced in state legislative houses across the country. As we have already seen with abortion, republican controlled states are now attempting to write laws to punish those who receive or administer protected medical care here in New York. We cannot let them, which is why it is crucial that we pass our legislation to expand New York State’s trans shield laws (S.4914). Doing so would enhance New York’s legal protections for medical professionals administering gender affirming care to include not just doctors and nurses, but also therapists, speech pathologists, and advanced practice clinicians, ensuring that no other state has the authority to investigate, prosecute, or punish medical providers, patients, or supporters of reproductive health care or gender-affirming care. In New York State we make our own laws and no one, including any other state, should have the ability to violate them,” said Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
“Transgender people are already disproportionately policed, criminalized, and incarcerated. To make things worse, we then force transgender incarcerated people into facilities that do not match their gender identity.” said Senator Julia Salazar. “We know trans women face extraordinarily high rates of sexual assault in male prisons. We also know that transgender incarcerated people are less safe and dehumanized by correction officers. At a time when the trans community is under attack across our country, it’s important now more than ever that we stand up for transgender rights in all spaces, including in our prisons. It's time to pass the GIRDS Act.”
“We are fighting with everything we have to protect the progress we've made as a vibrant, resilient queer and trans community. We are standing up for our bodily autonomy and our right to live as our full, authentic selves — in whatever form or expression that may be. The Trump administration clings to a past rooted in oppression and fueled by hate. We will not stand for it. New Yorkers deserve better — and together, we will prevail,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas.
“The New Pride Agenda’s fight is one of urgency and principle. At a time when fear is being coded into law and care is being criminalized, we need to meet this moment with clarity and courage. I’m proud to support NPA’s legislative agenda—because justice means protecting providers, ending stigma, and confronting the machinery of hate with policy that affirms life, care, and freedom,” said Senator Robert Jackson.
"LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers are under attack from a federal administration that's seeking to erase their history and limit their access to life-saving healthcare," said State Senator Patricia Fahy. "In New York State, we stand with our LGBTQIA+ community and against efforts that would criminalize basic healthcare and reproductive freedom. We're the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement and Stonewall and New Yorkers everywhere have always led the fight for equal rights and protections under our laws. That fight continues and I'm proud to stand with our LGBTQIA+ community today and everyday."
"With the adoption of the Equality Amendment to our constitution, New York voters affirmed that they want us to protect the rights of all New Yorkers. The bills in this legislative package are key to making the promise of equality a reality for the LGBTQ+ members of our communities. I am proud to stand with colleagues and New Pride Agenda to advocate for the passage of these bills," said Assemblymember Dana Levenberg.
“Transgender and Gender Noncomforming Americans, including thousands of New Yorkers, continue to be threatened by a federal administration that wants to strip them of all existing federal protections," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. "It is our responsibility as a State to support legislative proposals that will prioritize this community's health and dignity. New York has long stood with the LGBTQ+ community and now is the time to prove it with action, not just with words. "
“With the Trump administration and aligned states launching full-on attacks on gender-affirming healthcare and other basic human rights, we need to stand up. This legislation will bring our legal code up to date with public health policy and better protect transgender people and their healthcare providers. Human rights are inalienable, and we will only succeed as a society if we guarantee them for everyone,” said Assemblymember Mary Jane Shimsky.
“There’s nothing radical about wanting to feel safe when you seek care, or about protecting the people who provide it. That’s common sense. At a time when fear is being weaponized and rights are being rolled back, New York has a chance to lead with compassion, with clarity, and with courage. It is our responsibility to stand up for the dignity, freedom, and health care of New Yorkers,” said Senator Nathalia Fernandez.
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