Landmarks across New York State will be illuminated in pink, white, and light blue on November 20 to mark Transgender Day of Remembrance. The Transgender flag will also be raised at the State Capitol. Governor Kathy Hochul made the announcement, noting that earlier this month she issued a proclamation declaring November as Transgender Awareness Month in New York.
Governor Hochul stated, “Today we honor the memory of transgender New Yorkers whose lives were tragically lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. New York has zero tolerance for gender-based violence, and as Governor, I remain committed to protecting our transgender community, and investing in programs that provide critical services for transgender, gender non-conforming and non-binary New Yorkers.”
This year, Governor Hochul expanded the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund to more than $15 million. This expansion makes it the largest fund of its kind nationally. In June, the New York State Department of Labor received $960,000 in workforce development grants aimed at supporting programs that help transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary residents find employment.
Denise M. Miranda, Esq., Commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights, said: “On this Transgender Day of Remembrance, we honor the strong and courageous transgender individuals who have fought tirelessly for an equal quality of life. And in New York, we won’t let that fight go unrecognized. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s historic investment into the Division of Human Rights this year, we have modernized our agency to be more equipped than ever to protect and serve transgender individuals across New York State.”
The landmarks scheduled for illumination include 1WTC, Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, Kosciuszko Bridge, H. Carl McCall SUNY Building, State Education Building, Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Empire State Plaza, State Fairgrounds Main Gate & Expo Center, Niagara Falls, Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge, Grand Central Terminal Pershing Square Viaduct, Albany International Airport Gateway, MTA LIRR East End Gateway at Penn Station, Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal, Moynihan Train Hall and Roosevelt Island Lighthouse.
