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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Natalie Fiorenzo, Senior Corrections Specialist at New York County Defender Services
2:34:01
ยท
125 sec
Natalie Fiorenzo, representing New York County Defender Services, testified on the urgent need for protections for transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and intersex (TGNCNBI) individuals in New York City's correctional facilities. She emphasized the high rates of assault against transgender women in male facilities and urged support for Intro 625.
- Highlighted that 100% of transgender women she worked with in male facilities experienced some form of assault
- Criticized the Department of Correction for denying over 50% of gender-aligned housing requests
- Expressed concern over President Trump's executive order forcing transgender women into men's federal prisons
- Called for New York City to reject this precedent and ensure dignity and safety for TGNCNBI individuals in custody
Natalie Fiorenzo
2:34:01
Okay.
2:34:01
Great.
2:34:02
Good afternoon.
2:34:03
My name is Natalie Fiorenzo.
2:34:05
I use she her pronouns, and I am a senior corrections specialist at New York County Defender Services in Manhattan as well as a member of the TGNC NBI task force created by the city council.
2:34:16
I'm grateful for this committee that you recognize the need for this hearing today and the legislation that's been proposed and that the fact that you've moved so quickly, it's only February 28, to shore up protections for our city's most vulnerable citizens.
2:34:30
The widespread hate and aggression towards transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, inters and intersex individuals affects those on Rikers Island tenfold.
2:34:39
As we know, the Department of Correction is embroiled in numerous lawsuits and monitorships outlining their inability to keep those in their custody safe.
2:34:48
I have shared in front of this council before that 100% of the transgender women that I have personally worked with who are placed in a male facility are sexually assaulted, physically assaulted, or verbally assaulted.
2:35:02
And most typically, they experience a brutal combination of all three.
2:35:06
In line with this committee's clear dedication to the safety and personhood of transgender, non binary, and queer identifying individuals as the federal government escalates its attacks on this community, I urge you all to sign on to and open the floor to Intro six twenty five.
2:35:21
Intro six twenty five is a powerfully, thoughtfully drafted bill that would ensure that transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and intersex people are housed as safely as possible while in the custody of the Department of Correction.
2:35:33
DOC's own reporting shows that they deny over 50% of gender aligned housing requests.
2:35:39
President Trump's recent executive order strips transgender people in federal prisons of their dignity and safety, forcing transgender women to be transferred into men's facilities where they're at a heightened risk of violence and abuse.
2:35:50
This cruel directive sends a chilling message nationwide that trans people are are unworthy of protection and that their very existence is something to be punished.
2:35:59
We as New Yorkers must reject this precedent
Qween Jean (she/her)
2:36:01
Thank you.
2:36:02
Time's expired.
Natalie Fiorenzo
2:36:03
That in our city, every person deserves to be treated
Farah Louis
2:36:06
Thank you so much.