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Q&A
Council Member Farah Louis questions Ronald Porcelli on transgender rights and services
0:40:48
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4 min
Council Member Farah Louis questions Ronald Porcelli, Executive Director of NYC Unity Project, about the impact of federal policy changes on transgender and non-binary rights, and the city's response to these changes. Porcelli emphasizes the strength of local and state protections, and the availability of resources through the NYC Unity Project.
- Porcelli highlights the importance of New York City and State's human rights laws in protecting transgender and non-binary individuals.
- The NYC Unity Project website is mentioned as a key resource for TGNCNBI rights and services.
- Discussion touches on the potential impact of federal funding cuts on city agency programs and community-based organizations.
Farah Louis
0:40:48
We'll start with our questions.
0:40:50
President Trump signed several executive orders signaling a change in policy at the federal level to assert there assert there are two sexes and no longer recognize transgender and non binary people.
0:41:06
How has this affected the work of the Commission on Gender Equity and what changes will the commission make this year in regards to supporting transgender and non binary people?
Ronald Porcelli
0:41:18
Thank you council member.
0:41:20
I want to reaffirm our protections at the city level.
0:41:24
This is the one of the strongest, if not the strongest human rights law in the country.
0:41:31
In addition to our local jurisdiction, we also exist within the jurisdiction of the state.
0:41:38
The state also has a powerful state human rights law and then in addition to that, the state attorney general has interpreted and enforced this human rights law.
0:41:50
And so with regards to New York City, we will continue to enforce these provisions and we will continue to educate on them so that people are aware of them and the protections that they have at the local level and then also the protections that they are offered in our wider jurisdiction, the state of New York.
Farah Louis
0:42:16
Has the Commission on Gender Equity and the Unity Project seen a change in requested services from the public since the new federal administration came in office?
Ronald Porcelli
0:42:29
Yes, thank you for that question.
0:42:31
So I want to frame this in the context of we are not new to these challenges.
0:42:37
These are challenges that we have unfortunately been facing for quite some time and absolutely since the time of our immediate local administration.
0:42:47
And so this is work that is ongoing.
0:42:50
As to regards to increase in services, I think that would be particularly salient for H and H and I don't want to speak on their behalf but it is more than likely that people will continue to avail themselves of these services.
0:43:04
That is why I also think it is important that people visit the NYC Unity Project website.
0:43:10
It includes and is newly updated to include TGS and C MBI resources and rights, that includes the city human rights law, it includes different examples on the human rights law, and it includes how to follow-up to ensure enforcement.
0:43:27
It also includes provisions on hate crimes and a variety of other information including legal assistance from legal advocacy organizations.
0:43:37
So people should absolutely avail themselves of those resources and I would also say they should avail themselves of those resources before any particular crisis situation.
0:43:46
There is no doubt a significant number of resources.
0:43:48
It can be challenging to educate oneself on all of them.
0:43:52
I would encourage people to familiarize themselves with those resources, to take advantage of them, and particularly to do it before any particular emergency situation.
0:44:01
During those times, it's obviously far more difficult to navigate, and so it's truly incumbent that we are aware of our protections and know how to enforce them.
Farah Louis
0:44:11
Thank you.
0:44:12
One of the executive orders signed by President Trump calls for the ending of federal funding for organizations that support gender ideology or transgender people.
0:44:23
What impact will this have on city agency programs and how will this impact city community based organizations?
Ronald Porcelli
0:44:32
Thank you councilmember.
0:44:33
So that is absolutely a salient issue and I would say that that is something that we are continuing to navigate that is not only in this jurisdiction but that is in jurisdictions across the country.
0:44:44
Obviously these are issues that were relatively anticipated, so we will continue to work through them.
0:44:51
I can say that our particular programs, we continue to work at the local level with OMB to ensure that they are resourced and we continue every single year to assess our needs and to develop appropriate new needs.
0:45:05
So that I think answers your question.
Farah Louis
0:45:08
Thank you.
0:45:08
I'll call on counselor Mahani for questions.