New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the creation of a new city office focused on LGBT issues and named a “transgender” official to lead the department.
The new Mayor’s Office for “LGBTQIA+ Affairs” will be the first city office dedicated solely to policies affecting LGBT residents.
Taylor Brown, currently working in the New York State Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau, was selected to lead the new office.
Brown will become the first openly “transgender” person to head a New York City government agency.
The announcement was made during an event at City Hall, where Mamdani said the new office would coordinate programs across city agencies.
Officials said the department will focus on issues such as homelessness, employment challenges, and access to healthcare for LGBT residents.
“This day was a long time coming,” Mamdani said while announcing the initiative.
He credited years of activism from community groups that pushed for expanded government programs focused on LGBT issues.
The mayor said the office will work to ensure that city services are accessible to LGBT residents.
“We want the same things as everyone else, and we deserve the same things as everyone else,” Brown said after being named director.
Brown previously worked with civil rights organizations, including Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union.
Brown also participated in legal cases related to policies affecting “transgender” individuals, per Gothamist.
The new office will build on programs previously run by the NYC Unity Project, which coordinated services for LGBT residents across city departments.
Mamdani said the new office will ensure that city agencies do not discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
The announcement comes as national debates continue over LGBT policies.
Some hospitals have recently halted certain medical procedures involving minors.
NYU Langone Health recently stopped offering gender-related treatments for children and teenagers in the region.
New York’s Attorney General has pushed the hospital to reverse that decision.
Mamdani said he opposed the hospital’s move and believes the city should defend policies protecting LGBT residents.
“I think the city has a role in standing up for the rights of New Yorkers,” he said.
The mayor also said the new office will help support LGBT individuals moving to New York from states with stricter laws.
Officials said the department will also help coordinate protections for LGBT residents in sanctuaries.
Mamdani declined to reveal how much funding the new office will receive.
The announcement came as city leaders continue negotiations over New York City’s upcoming budget.
Supporters of the initiative argue that a dedicated office will make it easier for residents to access city programs.
Critics, however, have questioned whether creating another city department is necessary.
For now, the office is expected to begin operations later this year under Brown’s leadership.
City officials say the department will work closely with existing agencies to expand services and address issues affecting LGBT residents across New York City.
