Mamdani Announces $15 million Initiative to Expand Gender-Affirming Care Across New York City

The category is showing up for trans dolls and dudes!

New York City mayor Zoran Mamdani has unveiled a $15 million plan to expand medical services for transgender youth and adults across the city.

The plan includes three key components: a direct care fund for youth gender-affirming care providers, a call and text line connecting New Yorkers with gender-affirming care and resources, and research into health care access and outcomes for transgender and gender nonconforming residents.

“Every New Yorker should be free to live authentically and have access to the health care they need,” Mamdani said in a press statement. “As the federal government targets transgender people and pressures patients, families, and health care providers, New York City will respond by protecting access to care, supporting the professionals who provide it, and affirming that transgender New Yorkers are valued members of our city.”

While the $15 million initiative falls well short of Mamdani’s originally proposed $65 million plan, it is expected to help fund new programs supporting patients, health care providers, and research amid heightened federal scrutiny of transgender health care.

New York Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga championed the decision, saying access to high-quality, affordable health care should be available to everyone.

“In New York City, we believe high-quality, accessible health care is a fundamental right that every person deserves,” Arteaga said. “As the federal government reduces health care coverage for millions and limits access to essential services, the Mamdani administration is expanding comprehensive care for transgender New Yorkers and others who need it.”

Alongside New York City officials, several LGBTQ+ organizations have also expressed support for the initiative.

Carla Smith, CEO of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, praised Mamdani’s commitment to expanding gender-affirming care, especially for transgender youth. “At a time when these essential services are under attack across the country, New York City is sending a clear message: everyone deserves to access the care that they need with dignity and respect.”

The NYC Trans and Queer Coalition said the funding will help ensure transgender youth can continue to access age-appropriate care despite recent federal actions and cuts to services at some private hospitals. “Make no mistake – this funding will save lives. Thank you to the Mamdani Administration for hearing our advocacy and collaborating with our coalition of over 50 LGBTQIA+ service providers to ensure we can continue to serve our community.”

Mamdani and LGBTQ+ Rights: A Look at His Track Record

Aside from the recently announced $15 million pledge, Mamdani has vehemently supported the LGBTQ+ community

Before being elected mayor, he announced plans to deploy hundreds of lawyers to challenge Trump-era anti-LGBTQ policies, designate New York City as an LGBTQ sanctuary city, and establish an Office for LGBTQ Affairs. Since taking office, he has delivered on several of those commitments.

In March 2026, Mamdani signed an executive order creating New York City’s first Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.

The office is tasked with coordinating LGBTQIA+ representatives across city agencies, strengthening anti-discrimination efforts, advancing legal protections, and assisting LGBTQIA+ people fleeing persecution.

Last month, at the start of Pride Month, Mamdani marked the occasion with a post on X, saying that one month was not enough to recognize the impact LGBTQ+ New Yorkers have had on the city. “It would take far more than a month to honor the contributions of queer and transgender New Yorkers.”

Next, he highlighted milestones in the city’s LGBTQ+ history, including the Cercle Hermaphroditos, the Harlem Renaissance drag balls, the Stonewall uprising, the Lesbian Herstory Archives, and ACT UP!, describing New York as a city whose history has long been shaped by queer and transgender residents.

“To all our queer and trans neighbors: you deserve a City where you can afford to live safely, openly, and joyfully. Happy Pride, New York City,” he said.