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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kayt T., Community Organizer and Registered Lobbyist
2:23:39
·
134 sec
Kayt T., a community organizer and registered lobbyist, testifies about the recent challenges faced by the TGNC community in New York City. She emphasizes the urgent need for support and protection, highlighting the fear and threats experienced by TGNC individuals and organizations.
- Describes the rapid targeting of the TGNC community, even in New York City
- Emphasizes the importance of community organizations in adapting to quickly changing conditions
- Advocates for a $10 million allocation to the Trans Equity Initiative, prioritizing trans-led organizations
Kayt T.
2:23:39
Chair Lewis, thank you very much for the opportunity to speak.
2:23:42
My name is Kate Tiscus.
2:23:44
I work closely with folks who receive funding under trans equity as a community organizer and as a registered lobbyist.
2:23:53
And I wanted to talk a little bit about what the last month or so of my life has been like because I'm sure that you know it's been wild for you all, but it's been wild for me as well.
2:24:02
And the speed at which the TGNC community was successfully targeted even here in New York is stunning.
2:24:13
We have organizations that have to look for clandestine places to do intake because folks are so afraid to come out to formerly known community places because they're worried about ICE.
2:24:25
We have parents who are worried about registering their children as having questions about gender or as trans because they're afraid that that will compromise their children's rights.
2:24:38
We have organizations that have received weird emails and direct threats from Doge, like everyone is flat out.
2:24:46
It's here, it's now, it's in New York, and that's so stunning because New York is a special place that has really done its best to protect everyone, especially queer people, and one thing that I really want to support is all of the bills that are put forward today.
2:25:06
They're specific, they're actionable, but the reason I wanted to talk a little bit about what the last month has been like was to remind you of the component of community organizations, because things are changing quickly, and they're the folks who have close ties to people in the community who need to access services as events develop, as laws change, as conditions worsen, they'll be able to adapt quickly, and so I really want to emphasize the $10,000,000 ask for trans equity, prioritizing trans led organizations, because they're the ones who will be able to be nimble enough to meet the rapidly escalating disaster facing TGNC New Yorkers today.
2:25:52
Thank you for