PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Bryan Ellicott-Cook, Director of Government Relations at SAGE
0:55:44
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3 min
Bryan Ellicott-Cook, Director of Government Relations at SAGE, testified about the importance of civic engagement for LGBTQ+ veterans and how the New York City Department of Veterans Services can better serve this community. They highlighted the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ veterans and the need for targeted outreach, culturally competent services, and policy changes to improve their engagement in civic life.
- Emphasized the complexity of engaging veterans in civic life, noting that veterans are not a monolithic group
- Discussed the impact of discriminatory policies like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" on LGBTQ+ veterans' trust in institutions
- Suggested five ways to improve services, including targeted outreach, cultural competency, mental health support, and advocacy for policy change
Bryan Ellicott-Cook
0:55:44
Good morning, chair Holden, and distinguished members of the committee of veterans.
0:55:48
My name is Brian Ilakot Cook.
0:55:50
My pronouns are they, and he and I serve as the director of government relations of Sage serves, a division of Sage, the nation's largest organ oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ plus older adults.
0:56:03
Today, I'm here to highlight the importance of Civic Engagement for veterans, particularly LGBTQ plus veterans, and explore how New York City Department of Veterans Services can better serve this community.
0:56:15
Sage Scherbs has served veterans of the LGBTQ community, who are over age fifty since the creation of our saved vets program.
0:56:23
And I was the program manager of that program until 3 months ago.
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The importance of civic engagement for LGBT veterans is crucial.
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Civic engagement is the cornerstone of healthy democracy.
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For veterans, particularly LGBTQ veterans participation in civic life is not only a continuing service of their country, but an essential pathway to ensuring that their unique voices are and needs are heard.
0:56:47
LGBTQ plus veteran space unique challenges ranging from discrimination within an outside military to health disparities that persist throughout their service.
0:57:01
Sorry.
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Civic engagement empowers LGBT veterans to shape their society that it is more inclusive and responsive of their needs, particularly in the areas like healthcare housing and mental health services.
0:57:12
However, it's important to recognize the complex nature of engaging veterans in civic life.
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Veterans are not a monolithic group.
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Their experiences, their needs, their priorities vary based on factors of the area in which they serve they serve their branch of service.
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Their personal experiences in and out of uniform.
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For LGBT veterans, this complexity further amplified by the history of discrimination, both within the military and in civilian life.
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Many LGBT veterans who served under discriminatory policies like don't ask Don't tell or who would discharge due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, often have deep scars.
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These experiences can lead to distrust of institutions, including government agencies, which can hinder their willingness to engage in civilian life and civic engagement.
0:58:01
I do have 5 ways that we can do this better, targeted outreach and education, cultural competent services, support for mental health and social isolation, advocacy for policy change.
0:58:14
Like you said, council member hold in their ability to self identify both as a veteran and as a member of the LGBTQ community could go a long way.
0:58:24
That would help strengthen civic engagement.
0:58:26
It's just being able to identify all the boxes, not just 1 or 2.
0:58:30
I want to thank you for allowing me to testify and also partnering with Sage.
0:58:34
We do a lot of civic engagement around getting out to vote.
0:58:38
I have a great relationship with the commissioner, and we can do a lot more together.
0:58:44
Thank you.
Robert F. Holden
0:58:45
Thank you.
