NYC Gazette

Convened Medical Leaders, Community Advocates, and Elected Officials to Highlight Health Services and Priorities For LGBTQIA+ Community

Discussed Work That Must Be Done to Combat Anti-LGBTQIA+ Hate Across the Country

New York, NY - Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today hosted a forum on the state of LGBTQIA+ Health in New York and across the country at the NYC Health + Hospitals Judson Center in lower Manhattan.

Congressman Goldman convened medical leaders, community advocates, and elected officials to highlight the high-quality health care services that NYC Health + Hospitals provides for New York’s LGBTQ+ community. Congressman Goldman and Admiral Levine also discussed the Biden Administrations priorities in advancing LGBTQ+ mental and physical wellbeing, including strengthening the Affordable Care Act’s Non-Discrimination Provisions, providing resources to transgender kids and their families, protecting access to gender-affirming care, and fighting to pass the Equality Act.

They also discussed the ongoing threats LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially youth, face to their health and well-being, the bigoted attacks from conservative state legislatures across the country attempting to pass legislation that strips health care from and dehumanizes LGBTQIA+ Americans, and the work that must be done at the federal and local level to combat hate.

“New York City is the birthplace of the Pride movement, and I am proud to celebrate Pride month with the community while continuing to fight for progress and equity for the LGBTQ+ community,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “As extremist Republicans across the nation are targeting LGBTQ+ health, New York must stand as a leader and example for the rest of the country. I am proud of the incredible services NYC Health and Hospitals provides to our LGBTQ+ community as well as the work the Biden Administration has done to uplift and improve the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals nationwide.”

Admiral Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health with the Department of Health and Human Services said, “From day one of this administration, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Becerra have been incredible champions for LGBTQI+ equity and our communities. I am delighted to join Rep. Dan Goldman and the other leaders here today to share some of the work that my office, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, is doing to improve public health across this country.”

NYC Health + Hospitals President & CEO Mitchell Katz, MD said, “The Human Rights Campaign recently declared a state of emergency for the LGBTQ community as discriminatory legislation sweeps across America. We have to create safe spaces for our youth as they learn more about themselves and look for support. Our health system offers a welcoming environment that’s inclusive, compassionate, and respectful. Our Pride Health Centers are innovative – offering everything from primary care to mental health support to gender-affirming surgery. Health care is a basic human right and we will never stop serving New Yorkers, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.”

CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Michelle Lewis said, “We are proud of the innovative programs at Gotham Health to engage and provide care for LGBTQIA+ patients. We feel it’s essential that healthcare services are provided in facilities that are viewed by their communities as welcoming, inclusive, and convenient.”

The Congressman was joined by local LGBTQIA+ advocates as well as Admiral Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health with the Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Rachel Bring, NYC Health + Hospitals Clinical Lead, and NYC Council Member Erik Bottcher.

Original source can be found here.