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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sam Skaller, Representative from New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault
2:10:04
ยท
138 sec
Sam Skaller, representing the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, testified in strong support of measures to protect transgender and gender-expansive communities. They emphasized the increased risk of sexual violence due to attacks on gender-affirming care and trans rights, highlighting the need for community-led programs and increased funding.
- Requested budget increases for Project DOT, the Sexual Assault Initiative, and Outsmart New York City program to expand support for LGBTQ+ communities and sexual violence prevention
- Echoed calls to increase the trans equity fund to $10 million, with a focus on trans-led organizations
- Urged the council to support legislative measures and take a clear stance in defense of all trans and gender non-conforming New Yorkers
Sam Skaller
2:10:04
Good afternoon Chair Lewis and members of the committee.
2:10:08
Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.
2:10:10
My name is Sam Scaller, I use shethey pronouns and I'm here on behalf of the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault in strong support of the measures before you.
2:10:20
Attacks on gender affirming care and trans rights increase the risk of sexual violence making it critical for New York City to stand firm in protecting trans and gender expansive communities.
2:10:31
The alliance works to prevent sexual violence through education, advocacy, and policy change.
2:10:36
We've seen firsthand how transphobia leads to harm knowing that one in two transgender or gender nonconforming person will experience sexual violence in their lifetime.
2:10:46
As the federal government erases data on gender based violence, the full scope of this harm is even harder to measure at this moment.
2:10:53
To truly support trans youth and adults, we must invest in community led programs.
2:10:58
To make this happen this budget season, we have been requesting Project DOT, our youth engagement programming, needing assistance and an increase from $100,000 to $125,000 to expand our support for gender expansive LGBTQ plus community.
2:11:14
The second is the sexual assault initiative requires an increase from $2,075,000 to $2,500,000 to meet the rising needs of survivors at this really volatile time.
2:11:27
Also, our Outsmart New York City, program needs $300,000 to expand sexual violence prevention in nightlife spaces, particularly in LGBTQ plus spaces.
2:11:38
And lastly, we echo all of the other testimony for an increase in trans equity fund to 10,000,000 with specific provision that this money goes to trans led organizations more than cis led organizations.
2:11:49
The recent murder of Sam Norquist, a black trans man in New York who was brutally assaulted before being killed is a devastating reminder of the chain of violence that begins with transphobia, escalates to sexual violence, and too often ends in murder.
2:12:06
When trans adults are murdered, it sends a terrifying message to the trans youth that we work with.
Audacia Ray
2:12:11
You
Sam Skaller
2:12:11
could wrap By centering and protecting trans people in our policies, I urge the council to support these legislative measures and take a clear unwavering stance in defense of all trans and gender non conforming New Yorkers.
Farah Louis
2:12:23
Thank you.