Cabán warns of dangers for trans and gender nonconforming people on Rikers
Council Member Tiffany Cabán says Rikers is especially dangerous for trans, non-binary, gender nonconforming, and intersex people. She describes denial of gender-aligned housing, discrimination, and violence she saw as a public defender.
Thank you, Chair.
Good morning.
Entering Rikers Island is a potential death sentence for any New Yorker, but that is doubly true for trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people who are incarcerated there.
And on top of the other dangers and indignities of incarceration at Rikers, trans, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and intersex individuals are routinely denied access to housing that matches their gender identity.
They're forced to live in an environment where they face discrimination and the risk of violence.
And I saw that firsthand in my time as a public defender.
You know, it's unconscionable that in this city we are treating queer folks like this.