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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Avi Severino, Trans Individual from The Bronx, on Gender-Affirming Care Funding
2:40:18
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94 sec
Avi Severino, a trans individual from The Bronx, testified in support of maintaining and expanding the $15 million investment in gender-affirming care across New York City. Severino shared a personal story of how gender-affirming care saved their life during a severe mental health episode related to gender dysphoria.
- Called for increasing the New York City trans equity fund to $10 million and investing in shelters for trans youth
- Emphasized the importance of New York City remaining a safe haven for trans individuals in the face of rising anti-trans legislation across the country
- Urged the city council to protect and expand services for the estimated 50,000 transgender individuals in the city who rely on these vital healthcare services
Avi Severino
2:40:18
Good afternoon.
2:40:19
My name is Avi Severino, and I'm a trans individual from The Bronx.
2:40:23
And I'm here today calling on the city council to maintain and expand the $15,000,000 investment towards gender affirming care across New York City.
2:40:30
I come before you just, not just as an advocate, but as a living testimony to what this funding makes possible.
2:40:36
A few years ago, I experienced one of the most severe mental health episodes of my life while dealing with gender dysphoria.
2:40:42
Thanks to the gender affirming services funded here in New York City, I was able to access affordable care thanks thanks to, Callan Lord.
2:40:49
Gender affirming care saved my life, and without access to those services, I would not be here in front of you today.
2:40:54
I represent just one of over 50,000 transgender individuals in the city who could tell you a similar story because without access to gender affirming care, without access to gender affirming care, too many of us are left without the support we need to survive.
2:41:08
And as we witness a rising wave of anti trans legislation and hateful rhetoric sweeping across the country, it's critical that New York City not only holds the line but leads with bold action.
2:41:17
That's why I also strongly support the expansion of other trans equity initiatives in this budget, like increasing the New York City trans equity fund to 10,000,000, as well as investing in shelters for trans youth.
2:41:29
In this moment, the city must do everything in its power to ensure that we remain a safe haven, but this legacy is not self sustaining.
2:41:35
It must be actively protected.
2:41:37
Let New York City not just be remembered for whether for for where the fight for queer liberation began, but for how fiercely we chose to protect it and how boldly we showed up for trans lives when it mattered the most.
2:41:48
Thank you, counsel and chair, for listening and and giving us the floor to speak.