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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jaya Iida, Patient at Callen-Lorde Health Center, on LGBTQ+ Healthcare and Trans Rights
5:41:47
ยท
152 sec
Jaya Iida, a patient at Callen-Lorde Health Center, testifies about the importance of gender-affirming healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals and the threats posed by recent federal policy changes. She urges the New York City Council to increase funding for trans healthcare, HIV prevention and care, and support for Callen-Lorde's services.
- Highlights personal experience with gender-affirming care through Callen-Lorde and AmidaCare
- Expresses concern over federal executive orders limiting access to gender-affirming care for youth and potential downsizing of HIV prevention efforts
- Calls for increased investment in the trans equity fund, funding for HIV prevention and care, and support for Callen-Lorde's request for increased funding
Jaya Iida
5:41:47
Good afternoon chair president Schulman and members of the committee.
5:41:50
My name is Jaya Iida and I'm a patient at Calon Lord Health Center.
5:41:55
They provide gender affirming healthcare to the LGBTQ and regardless of pay.
5:42:01
For the last three years Calon Lord has been a lifeline to me.
5:42:05
It has allowed me to move from survival to living a life full of meaning and joy.
5:42:12
With the support of organizations like Destination Tomorrow and Brooklyn Ghost Project, I was able to receive my health care through AmidaCare.
5:42:20
With AmidaCare, I was able to obtain the health care that I need.
5:42:24
I can now pursue my artistic passions, work, and live my authentic life.
5:42:30
Everyone deserves access to care that allows them to thrive.
5:42:34
However, recent policy changes and executive orders at the federal level present an existential threat to transgender individuals across this city, New York.
5:42:45
One executive order seeks to limit access to gender affirming care for youth 19.
5:42:50
This order threatens to strip away essential health care and jeopardizes the ability of providers to offer necessary services, especially for those reliant on Medicaid and Medicare.
5:43:01
This cruel effort to dehumanize TGNC population of all ages exacerbates existing disparities and puts lives at risk.
5:43:13
There are efforts to severely downsize and eliminate the division of HIV prevention at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
5:43:21
Callum Lord remains dedicated to serving over 22,000 LGBT patients annually, including 8,000 transgender TGNC individuals like myself.
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We must protect and expand care.
5:43:35
I urge New York City Council to one, increase the investment to the trans equity fund to at least 10,000,000, and to continue to fund and support for persons involved in the sex trades to sustain and expand gender affirming services.
5:43:49
Two, to increase funding for the HIV prevention and care, and three, to support Callan Lord's request for increased funding to ensure access to medically necessary health care for TGNC patients.
5:44:03
In summary, our bodies and our health care are private matter, and of all the forms of inequality, injustice, the health healthcare is one of the most shocking and inhumane.
5:44:14
We exist, we have existed, and we will continue to exist.
5:44:17
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Lynn Schulman
5:44:19
Thank you very much.