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AGENCY TESTIMONY
Introduction and overview of the NYC Unity Project
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Ronald Porcelli, Executive Director of the NYC Unity Project, introduces the organization and its role in coordinating LGBTQ+ services across New York City. The NYC Unity Project is described as an interagency coordinating body focused on economic mobility, acceptance, anti-discrimination, and health equity for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly TGNCNB individuals.
- The Unity Project works across three main sectors: economic mobility, acceptance and anti-discrimination, and health equity.
- It implements programming through a community-driven approach, investing in community-based organizations and developing strategic partnerships.
- The organization focuses on five pillars: interagency coordination, community engagement and education, policy and protections, resource access, and fostering culturally competent services.
Ronald Porcelli
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Chair Lewis, members of the Committee on Women and Gender, distinguished members of the City Council and the public, good afternoon.
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I am Ronald Porcelli, executive director of the NYC Unity Project.
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I am grateful to the New York City Council and the Committee on Women and Gender for hosting this hearing today.
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The NYC Unity Project is the city's LGBTQ plus interagency coordinating body housed in the mayor's office of equity and racial justice.
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As an innovation hub of novel programming, the Unity Project coordinates across city agencies to incubate culturally competent services tailored to meet the needs of the LGBTQ plus community particularly TGNCMB people, people of color, and youth.
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The Unity Project works across three main sectors, economic mobility, acceptance and anti discrimination, and health equity.
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The Unity Project implements programming through a community driven approach, investing in community based organizations and developing strategic partnerships across the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and academia.
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Beyond fostering culturally competent services, the Unity Project focuses on four additional pillars, interagency coordination, community engagement and education, policy and protections, and resource access.
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NYC government has taken enormous strides to uplift and support the TGNC community and the wider LGBTQ plus community.
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After centuries of discrimination and persecution, the past few decades have seen extraordinary advances in equity for TGNCMB folks beginning here at the birthplace of Stonewall where a rebellion ignited a movement that liberated countless individuals from shame, ostracization, and persecution both in New York City and across the globe.
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We have witnessed a profound push for greater rights protections and services for LGBTQ plus people.
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Yet the work is far from over.
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We persist navigating evolving challenges and confronting gaps that remain.
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We will continue to approach these needs with compassion, commitment and empathy.
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We look forward to this hearing, the opportunity to speak before the council, and candid thoughtful public testimony.