Mamdani unveils $15 million plan for gender-affirming care

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani proposed a $15 million investment over two years in gender-affirming care during a Pride event on Tuesday. 

The initiative marks the first step towards fulfilling Mamdani’s $65 million campaign pledge to address gaps in gender-affirming care created by federal funding restrictions imposed under the Trump administration.

Mamdani also recently established the city’s first Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, pledging that his administration would use every tool at its disposal to ensure transgender and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers can live with dignity, safety and freedom.

“The threats will continue, and so will our relentless protection of trans people across this city,” Mamdani said, referring to the challenges facing LGBTIQ+ communities.

During his campaign, Mamdani pledged $57 million for public hospitals and nonprofit healthcare providers, along with a further $8 million for support services, including a system connecting patients with providers.

Mamdani also promised to restore access to gender-affirming care for transgender children. However, the planned city-run service is currently restricted to adults aged 19 and over. The NYC health commissioner said discussions are under way on whether and how the service could be extended to minors while navigating federal restrictions.