The mayor is allocating $15 million for new sex change initiatives for children and adults, framing the move as a defense against federal government actions.
The package establishes a direct care access fund to subsidize providers offering sex change procedures for children, launches a dedicated call and text line, and funds research into LGBTQ+ healthcare access.
The health department will launch a pilot program at a Queens clinic later this year, offering gender-affirming hormone therapy to adults at no or low cost regardless of immigration status.
In a statement, the mayor accused the federal government of intimidating patients, families and providers, and declared the city would do everything in its power to defend the procedures.
The mayor has directed the law department to prepare for potential litigation to counter any federal efforts to restrict sex changes for children and adults.
Deputy Mayor Julie Su and Director Taylor Brown echoed the mayor's rhetoric, criticizing federal actions as dehumanizing and driven by ideological motives rather than science.
The announcement follows a recent legal clash over subpoenas for transgender patients' medical records, and a federal judge recently blocked the Department of Justice from accessing the records.
Some city officials argue that the $15 million investment is insufficient; Councilmember Tiffany Caban is urging an increase to $60 million.
Budget Director Sherif Soliman has called the $15 million allocation a starting point and expressed a desire to funnel more funds into the initiatives within fiscal limits.
