Leaders of LGBT Groups Voice Support for Proposed City Identification Card Program

New York, NY- Leaders and advocates for several LGBT groups voiced their support the proposed Municipal Identification Card program introduced by the City Council last week. Full statements of support can be found below:

“The LGBT Law Project at NYLAG applauds Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito, and City Council Members Dromm and Menchaca for spearheading this critically important bill that would help ensure that transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers have access to valid identification cards that accurately reflect their gender. Access to valid ID is particularly important for transgender communities who face discrimination, harassment, and violence when they don’t have accurate ID. For this opportunity to have the most impact in transgender communities, the process for selecting gender on the Municipal ID card must be one in which applicants can self-identify, without showing burdensome proof of gender through doctor’s letters or medical treatment which make accurate ID cards inaccessible to many people.”
Anya Mukarji-Connolly, Supervising Attorney, LGBT Law Project, NYLAG

“After years of working and volunteering in organizations serving homeless LGBT youth, I am very much aware that proper ID is essential for them. Since many have been literally thrown out of their homes, many of their significant papers are retained by parents or relatives. Without these documents to identify who they are, they become “nameless”. IF they could obtain an official ID, this would serve as an entry point to various services and resources. It would also allow them to present identification if stopped by the police or any other official individual. I strongly support such a move by the City Council.”
Dr. Wilhelmina Perry, Administrative Convener, LGBT Leaders of African Descent

“As a transgender woman and a Latina, I congratulate Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for her work on this initiative. When stopped by the police, I won’t ever have to answer again whether I’m a man or a woman. And I don’t risk the chance of being stopped and detained, like I was a couple of years ago, because of lack of ID. This is a new day for all New Yorkers and I am glad I get to witness it”
Johanna Vasquez, LGBTQ Justice Project, Make the Road New York

“Working with the Transgender community we have witnessed first-hand the obstacles many face when attempting to have ID that reflects their lived gender. This municipal ID will allow such self-expression and will also be useful in obtaining an accurate count of just how large NYC’s Transgender community is.”
Sean Coleman, Executive Director, Destination Tomorrow.

“Municipal identification cards are a powerful tool to help some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers step out of the shadows to better take care of themselves and more fully access the wealth of opportunities this city has to. For many of those who The Center serves, particularly immigrants and transgender people, there is an experience of ‘two New Yorks’ – one with ID and another without. Everyone in New York should be given a chance to able to establish their identity when engaging with law enforcement or accessing public spaces such as buildings, banks, libraries and schools.”
Glennda Testone, Executive Director of The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center

“The Brooklyn Community Pride Center applauds New York City in taking steps to make municipal identification cards available to all New Yorkers. Affirming identification cards are key to ensuring that New Yorkers are able to access all that this great city has to offer. Furnishing an ID to enter public spaces, including many government buildings, is common place but for those without proper ID they are barred from fully participating in aspects of their civic life – we need to do better than that to ensure the well-being of all those who call New York City home.”
Erin Drinkwater, Executive Director, the Brooklyn Community Pride Center.

“We work every day with members of the transgender community and know how many struggles they face when their official ID doesn’t match their personal presentation. It’s not just a legal issue: it’s an issue of dignity, and we applaud the Speaker for recognizing and championing a population whose members are highly visible in our neighborhood, but ironically invisible in a legal context.”
Iris House, Executive Director, Ingrid Floyd

“SAGE proudly supports the City Council’s proposal for Municipal ID Cards, which takes an important step toward the creation of a more inclusive New York. For example, transgender people—including many transgender older adults—have encountered significant struggles as a result of personal documentation that does not match their gender identities. We commend Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for her leadership in ensuring that all New Yorkers, including transgender elders, can be better able to pursue careers, secure housing, and participate more fully in civic life. “
Michael Adams, Executive Director, Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders

“This is a great step towards expanding access to recommended and required services and increasing the agency of the marginalized.”
Vaughn E. Taylor-Akutagawa, Executive Director, Gay Men of African Descent

“Harlem United supports Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the New York City Council’s proposed municipal identification legislation and program. A municipal identification system will help so many New Yorkers access vital city human and social services. For example, many of the communities we serve have only their Medicaid cards. As a picture ID, the municipal ID would assist them in having an identification card that is available to all New Yorkers and is acceptable to accessing other public services. Further, municipal IDs would reduce barriers particularly for homeless individuals, immigrants without documentation and our LGBT youth who may not have other valid identification. The NYC Municipal ID program is an important step toward providing equal access to our city’s public services.”
Kimberleigh J. Smith, Associated Vice President, Harlem United Community AIDS Center

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