New York City Mayor Signs Executive Order to Protect Gender-Affirming Health Care Access

NEW YORK — In another effort to strongly support the LGBTQ+ community, New York City Mayor Eric Adams signed the Executive Order 32 to protect access to gender-affirming health care in New York City.

The executive order prevents the use of city resources to detain anyone providing or receiving gender-affirming health care services in New York City. In addition, the executive order denies New York City’s use of resources to cooperate with any prosecution or investigation by another state of an individual for providing or receiving gender-affirming care.

As LGBTQ+ rights continue to be threatened across the country, Executive Order 32 reaffirms New York City’s place as a national leader and supporter of all who seek necessary health care, especially for transgender and non-binary people.

“As states across the country continue their onslaught of attacks against our LGBTQ+ neighbors, New York City is doing what it has always done: standing up for justice and against discrimination,” said Mayor Adams. “This executive order reaffirms the fact that hate has no place in our city and that all people deserve the right to gender-affirming care and protection from prosecution for who they are. For LGBTQ+ people across the country who feel hurt, isolated or threatened, we have a clear message for you: New York City has always been and will always be a welcoming home for you.”

Gender-affirming care is essential to the health and well-being of many transgender and non-binary people. Major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, which together represent 1.3 million doctorshave recognized the medical need for age-appropriate gender-affirming care of transgender and non-binary people.

A Nacional levelat least 20 states have passed repressive new laws restricting the ability of minors to receive gender-affirming care, and 34 states have introduced legislation to restrict or prohibit access to gender-affirming care for people over the age of 18. In some states, if a health care provider violates these laws, that state may request that New York City detain you if you are in the city. But, under Executive Order 32 signed today by Mayor Adams, these individuals will now be afforded protection and privacy in New York City to receive or provide care that is medically necessary.

If a health care provider in a restricted status works with NYC Health + Hospitals, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, or another City agency to provide gender-affirming services to support an individual, the New York City will not cooperate. with the investigation of that state of the supplier.

“From day one, this administration has been committed to standing up for those who are under attack, facing oppression and denied their basic rights,” said Senior Counsel Ingrid Lewis Martin. “Today’s announcement is a reaffirmation of that commitment to use the power of government to support all of our neighbors in need. I am proud to work alongside colleagues who are stepping up to meet this moment and be a role model for our nation.”