A fund dedicated to advancing the safety, housing, healthcare, education, and dignity of Trans New Yorkers.

Campaign for Trans Rights and Budget Equity in New York City.

Empowering the Transgender Community

The Caribbean Equality Project stands as a prominent advocate within the New York City Trans & Queer Provider Advocacy Coalition (NYCTQPAC). Our coalition, composed of trans-led and LGBTQIA-missioned organizations, is driving efforts to enhance the Trans Equity Programs Initiative, the pioneering fund dedicated to empowering the Transgender community. Established in 2020, this fund is a testament to Cecilia Gentili’s relentless advocacy for trans individuals, LGBTQ+ immigrants, and sex workers.

In the face of federal attacks on gender-affirming care, NYCTQPAC urgently calls for the establishment of the nation’s first Gender Affirming Care Contingency Fund. This initiative aims to ensure that New York City remains a sanctuary for Transgender youth, providing them with necessary, safe healthcare options.

Addressing the Needs of Transgender and Queer Youth

As demand for services for Transgender and Queer youth soars, we are advocating for increased resources to support essential services like shelter, education, and mental health care. This is vital for enabling these young people to grow into healthy adults.

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Key Legislative and Budget Priorities

Trans Equity

Increase the Trans Equity Fund to $10 million.
Allocate $15 million for gender-affirming care providers.
Fund technical assistance for applicants excluded from previous funding cycles.
Prioritize funding for trans-led organizations, particularly those led by BIPOC and trans women/femmes.

Our coalition has identified several top priorities for the NYC Council’s Pride and Policy Plan, along with new initiatives for the FY26 session. These priorities are a reflection of the community’s most pressing needs:

Mental Health

Establish CUNY programs for LGBTQ+ individuals pursuing mental health degrees.
Expand city-wide Alternative Response Teams, such as B-Heard.
Increase DOHMH funding to remove care access barriers.
Implement LGBTQ+-specific measures in the NYC Council’s Mental Health roadmap.
Create a vetted virtual platform of affirming mental health providers.

Substance Use

Fund five additional Overdose Prevention Centers across all NYC Boroughs.
Expand City-funded sites offering harm reduction services.
Create LGBTQ+ Peer Navigator positions at each OPC/SSP.

PrEP Access

Expand the Ending the Epidemic initiative to include more Black and Brown-led organizations.
Increase resources for prevention and education services to impacted communities.
Enact Int 0362-2024 to report on PrEP outreach and distribution.

Immigration

Enhance housing access and protect the right to shelter.
Fund free LGBT-affirming healthcare and legal services.
Increase funding for public services and enforce anti-discrimination measures.
Support community engagement for immigrant integration.
Cease NYC cooperation with ICE and pass relevant protective legislation.

Housing

Baseline $10M for LGBTQIA+ Runaway and Homeless Youth Providers.
Fund Housing Navigators at drop-in centers.
Reinstate Peer Navigators for youth support.

Older Adults

Fund LGBTQ+ cultural competency training for housing providers.
Create affordable housing for LGBTQ+ older adults.
Increase access to LGBTQ+-friendly support services.

Education

Implement programs to recruit and retain Trans and Queer educators.
Collect data on trans and nonbinary students’ experiences.
Secure funding for Gender & Sexuality Alliances in schools.

Incarcerated TGNCNBI People

Pass Int 625 for gender-aligned housing in custody.
Strengthen partnerships to address issues faced by incarcerated TGNCNBI people.

Decriminalize Sex Work

Establish a compensation fund for de-platformed sex workers.
Recognize sex worker labor collectives.
Provide free legal counsel to sex workers and survivors.

This campaign represents a collective call to action to uphold the rights and well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals in New York City. By addressing these critical areas, we aim to foster a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

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