CM Cabán on gender-affirming care investment gap and mental health

I will say that...

The investments for just on the trans-equity front, we want to see them higher, right?

Last year, the LGBTQIA plus caucus, along with community advocates, like shout out to the Trans-Equity Coalition, who did incredible work, were able to secure in initiative funding

a historic investment, almost $13.25 million for gender-affirming care.

And there is a greater need today than there was even last year.

And I know that the advocates are asking for a bigger investment from the administration.

I know it's something that the mayor ran on when he was running for office.

And so, like, you know, while we see that investment there, it is there's a lot of room between.

That commitment that was made and what we see right now in the exec budget.

So do you anticipate us seeing differences when it comes to the adopted or what are we looking at there?

Yeah, we see you, we hear you, we're on the exact same page and we can't get in front of

City Hall or OMB on this, but there's much more to come on this exact issue.

We want to be partners in this.

So whatever we can do to help on this.

That front is a big deal.

And then before I pass it,

Oh, okay.

Before I pass it over to Chair Shulman, I have one more question for you.

Gender identity discrimination complaints, five-year high, right, while transgender New Yorkers are obviously continuing to face harassment and violence and barriers to care.

What investments particularly...

Are being made to address mental health impacts of discrimination and anti-trans violence?

Like how much is being specifically earmarked to culturally competent mental health services for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary New Yorkers?

I realize that question, like it could be in public health, it could be in the DOHMH portion, but I'm just going to ask it now.

Yeah, well, I'll start the conversation and then we can continue with some of our...

experts.

Yeah, look, you know, from our standpoint on our mental health side, our services are available to all New Yorkers, including LGBTQIA plus New Yorkers.

Now, that being said, there are specific allotments and carve outs that help to allow us to do our work even more focused in that community.

And so I want to not

you know, jump out ahead of our mental hygiene team who can give you a little bit more specifics in that.

But yeah, absolutely, we do see an opportunity, not just for the LGBTQIA community writ large with regard to mental health, but also the youth.

component is incredibly important that we get that right.

Right.

Thank you.

Pass it to you, Chair.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilmember Ressler?