Statement: NEW Pride Agenda Responds to Conclusion of 2026 State Legislative Session

Contact:
Max Schulman, max@anatgerstein.com, 347-861-4167

NEW Pride Agenda Responds to Conclusion of 2026 Legislative Session

Organization says lawmakers “missed the moment” to defend LGBTQ+ community, reaffirms commitment to advocate for queer New Yorkers

(June 9, 2026 | Albany, NY) –– The NEW Pride Agenda, New York State's leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, issued the following statement from Executive Director Kei Williams following the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session:

"As the Trump administration escalates its attacks against LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers, the impact is felt across our entire community, including our allies, families, and friends. We needed this legislative session to be defined by urgency, resolve, and action. Instead, too many pressing needs went unaddressed.

“Let’s be clear about what the Trump administration is actually doing: this is not just about transgender people. The Great Replacement Theory is no longer fringe — extreme ideologues have made this politics mainstream. The far-right is using ignorance to distract from the evisceration of healthcare, the abuse of our tax dollars, and the dismantling of our democracy.

"This state legislative session ended without a meaningful response to these scapegoating attacks targeting our communities, and with little progress on the investments and protections advocates identified as essential to our well-being. Lawmakers did not dedicate funding for gender-affirming care, and the Gender Affirming Care Protection Act did not pass. At the same time, we strengthened relationships, expanded our base of supporters, and mobilized advocates who fought for legislation in response to escalating federal threats — including criminal subpoenas that have jeopardized the safety of patients and providers. 

“Our legislative champions and allies did move other important parts of our agenda. We appreciate the Governor's investment in LGBTQ+ youth crisis services through the 988 Lifeline, which advanced in the Senate. State leaders also sustained the Lorena Borjas Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund, which is critical to the operations of trans-led and trans-serving organizations throughout the state. Additionally, we recognize the legislative passage of the Health Information Privacy Act and the Freedom to Read Act, combating persecution and surveillance of patients and educators, respectively, and urge the Governor to enact this legislation. 

“However, we know these measures alone cannot compensate for the broader response this moment demands. 

"At a moment when trans New Yorkers and so many other New Yorkers urged our state to hold the line, we saw inaction. New York has long claimed to be a haven for LGBTQ+ people. With that status comes responsibility: sustained investment in the health and wellbeing of transgender communities, strong legal safeguards for patients and providers, and a willingness to combat federal attacks. Lawmakers did not deliver that this session. 

"And still, here we are. LGBTQ+ New Yorkers — especially transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex New Yorkers — have never relied solely on what happens at the Capitol. The progress we have made has always come from the bottom up: from advocates, service providers, community leaders, and everyday New Yorkers who refuse to accept the status quo. We are grateful to every coalition partner, grassroots organizer, and elected leader who stood alongside us this session.

"NEW Pride Agenda understands this moment because we know what is at stake. And as we always have, we will continue to organize and use every tool at our disposal — showing up to vote, organizing in our city streets, grassroots fundraising, and public advocacy. We will ensure that the home of Stonewall never becomes unmoored from its roots, and that our leaders remain accountable to the LGBTQ+ movement that was born here. Our work will not stop until every New Yorker can live safely, openly, and authentically.” 

“The fight continues, New York — because history has shown that when we organize, we win.”

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