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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Brian Ellicott Cook, Director of Government Relations at SAGE/SAGE Vets
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Brian Ellicott Cook, representing SAGE and SAGE Vets, testified about the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ older adult veterans and requested continued support for their legal services initiative. He highlighted the stagnant budget for the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) and emphasized the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ veterans in the current political climate.
- SAGE Vets is the only program in NYC specifically supporting LGBTQ+ older adult veterans
- 56% of LGBTQ+ veterans in NYC are over the age of 50
- Cook requested a $100,000 renewal for the legal services initiative in the FY26 budget
Brian Ellicott Cook
1:38:08
I'll be quite punctual.
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Good afternoon, chair hold and members of the New York City Council Committee on Veterans.
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My name is Brian Ellicott Cook and I serve as director of government relations at SAGE, the nation's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ plus older adults.
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And I'm here to testify on behalf of SAGE Vets, the the only program in New York City specifically supporting LGBTQ plus older adult veterans.
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LGBT veterans have served with bravery often while facing discrimination.
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Many experienced exclusion under harmful military policies leaving them with lasting trauma.
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In New York City, Fifty Six Percent of LGBTQ plus veterans are over the age of 50.
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SageFets works to ensure that they have access to vital services from healthcare to legal assistance.
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With your support, we've achieved significant victories including discharge upgrades, eviction prevention, and direct connection to our local VA hospitals.
1:39:02
Last year, finance chair Justin Brennan stated that the budget was more than simply a financial plan and a list of the expenditures to our city's statement of values.
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It shows the rest of the world planet cares about what the greatest city on the planet cares about.
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Yet we can review the f y twenty six preliminary budget, it's clear that DVS remains stagnant.
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Its head count basically unchanged and its budget roughly $494,000 less than f y twenty five adopted budget.
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Unfortunately, today's political climate further threatens LGBTQ plus veterans, hostile rhetoric, and discriminatory policies of heightened fears, particularly for transgender veterans.
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Our city must stand firm in providing support and care.
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Sage Vets respectfully request a hundred thousand dollar renewal of the legal services initiative in f y twenty six budget, and your continued support ensures that we expand our reach, provide essential resources, and our public dignity and well-being of our LGBTQ plus veterans.
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Thank you for your dedication to our New York City Veterans.