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Council Member Shahana Hanif introduces the AFFIRM Act to protect gender-affirming care facilities
0:09:21
ยท
3 min
Council Member Shahana Hanif introduces and explains the AFFIRM Act, which aims to extend protections similar to those for reproductive health facilities to facilities providing gender-affirming care. She emphasizes the importance of protecting trans patients' access to care in the current political climate.
- The AFFIRM Act would make it illegal to obstruct, harass, or interfere with gender-affirming care facilities and their patients.
- The bill updates Local Law 76 of 2022 to clarify private right of action for infringement on access to gender-affirming care.
- Hanif calls for increased funding for trans-led advocacy groups in the upcoming budget cycle.
Shahana Hanif
0:09:21
Good afternoon.
0:09:22
I'm council member Shehana Hanif.
0:09:23
Thank you to chair Lewis for holding this critical hearing and including intro twelve oh one, the affirm act on today's agenda.
0:09:32
I'd also like to thank chair Lewis, Brooklyn borough president Reynoso, and council members Bacher, Rivera, Jose, Ressler, Hudson, Nurse, and De La Rosa for introducing this bill alongside me.
0:09:44
In the nineteen nineties and February, the council responded to violent protests at reproductive health clinics by passing and strengthening the clinic access law, which established protections for reproductive health patients and the providers who serve them.
0:09:59
While there are still issues with enforcement, this law has set important prohibitions on unsafe activities that threaten people entering reproductive health clinics.
0:10:10
It is no secret that anti trans protests are growing across the country as bigots feel increasingly emboldened by president Trump's trans erasure agenda.
0:10:20
In this volatile political environment, it is important to use every tool we have to ensure trans patients can access access care.
0:10:29
That's why I've introduced the AFFIRM Act to have facilities that provide gender affirming care covered by the same protections that apply to reproductive health facilities.
0:10:40
If passed, the AFFIRM Act would make it illegal to physically block a person from entering a facility providing gender affirming care, follow or harass a person within 15 feet of the entrance of a facility providing gender affirming care, damage a facility providing gender affirming care, and interfere with the operation of a facility providing gender affirming care.
0:11:06
This bill would also update previous legislation that I passed, local law 76 of 2022, to clarify that if a person wrongfully has their ability to access gender affirming care infringed upon either physically or by a lawsuit, they have a private right of action under New York City law.
0:11:25
I look forward to hearing testimony from the administration and community members with us today.
0:11:30
I recognize that this is a complex issue and I'm eager to hear from experts who will share how the text can be amended to better meet our legislative intent.
0:11:42
Trans health care is essential.
0:11:45
Actions of the Trump administration and the cowardly compliance of certain providers are absolutely shameful.
0:11:52
I'm proud to be fighting with my colleagues in this committee and in the LGBTQ caucus to ensure New York City is a safe place for our trans siblings to access critical medical services.
0:12:03
I'd also like to thank gratitude extend gratitude to the local trans led advocacy groups that are doing so much to support trans New Yorkers.
0:12:11
As we enter the thick of fiscal year twenty twenty six budget cycle, I urge the council to reflect their importance in our funding.
0:12:22
Thank you.