Mar Henriquez calls for Intros 133 and 134 and cites abuse statistics

Okay, we're ready.

Hi, thank you so much for holding this hearing, and thank you so much, Council Member and Chair, for your support of Inter 133 and 134 and holding the space today.

I'd like to start by saying I'd like everyone here to imagine being locked and confined in a place where you're held against your will and your identity makes you a target.

The people in charge are aware, and nothing is being done to stop it.

I sat here in dismay listening to DOC once again reiterate that they are doing everything as is required by law,

and they're following PRIA guidelines, which is really disappointing to hear because, one, we know based on our clients, I work for the Legal Aid Society.

I've been with the Legal Aid Society for eight years.

In the LGBTQ law and policy unit.

And we see all too often how not only are humans completely disregarded for being incarcerated, but that is exacerbated by trans identity.

And I'd like to run through some stats that highlight the precariousness of the situation that our clients and community members find themselves in.

So I'd like to iterate my support for 133, which would enable the task force to continue and encourage the amendments that will be introduced to be

enforced, but also highlighting 134, which was not added to the agenda, which is one of the top recommendations of the task force in actually addressing the harms that folks are experiencing on the inside.

We recognize, one, that 40% of New York City's runaway youth population are LGBTQ+.

These numbers are only going to go up with the fact that on a federal level, people experiencing an inundated amount of attacks on their identity.

The Lemkin Research Institute for Genocide has issued a third red flag because trans people are under attack in this country.

31 to 46% of youth who exit foster care experience homelessness.

We know that homelessness is criminalized in our communities, and that therefore leaves people susceptible and vulnerable to incarceration.

The majority of our clients in the LGBTQ plus unit who are incarcerated made first contact with NYPD when they were minors.

These are people who are forgotten, who fell through the cracks because of lack of infrastructure, lack of familial support.

support and are then left to rot at Rikers Island.

They, 90% of our clients report violent abuse in DOC custody.

And this is just what's being reported.

We should really assume it's 100% of folks.

So I'm really asking for folks to really advocate and continue to advocate for trans and gender nonconforming people.

There is a lack of understanding in our communities and that is state-sanctioned violence.

From K through 12, we do not discuss trans and gender expansive identities.

People think that they're up for debate.

And then as a result, people are left to rot in prison and in jails and on the streets.

And they deserve more and we deserve more.

And if we are to truly call ourselves a sanctuary city, we have to stand by our incarcerated population.

Thank you so much for your time.

Thank you so much.