New York State, often seen as a haven for LGBTQ+ individuals, has faced criticism for its 2027 fiscal year budget, which failed to allocate funds for several crucial initiatives. Despite the state’s reputation for robust protections, the budget’s omissions have left queer and trans advocates questioning the government’s commitment to their community.
The budget, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on May 27, did not include funding for a new gender-affirming care fundincreased support for homeless youth programs, or additional funding for the Lorena Borjas Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund (TWEF). These omissions come at a time when LGBTQ+ individuals are facing heightened threats and increased need for services.
Advocates Demand Increased Funding for LGBTQ+ Services
Organizations across New York State have been vocal about the growing needs of the LGBTQ+ community. The Ali Forney Center, The New York Lesbian, Gay Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, and the New Pride Agenda have spent months advocating for increased funding to address these issues. Specifically, they requested $8 million for an emergency gender-affirming care fund, $10 million for TWEF, and over $10 million for the Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) fund.
Alex Roque, president of the Ali Forney Center, expressed his disappointment, stating, “A surprise is what I want on my birthday; a shock is when you get devastating news, and you have an accomplice reject that opportunity to make a difference.” He emphasized that the budget’s failure to address these needs is particularly concerning given the current climate of increased attacks on trans rights.
The Impact of Federal Policies on LGBTQ+ Healthcare
Since President Donald Trump returned to office in 2026, LGBTQ+ advocates have been fighting against numerous attacks on queer and trans rights. This February, major New York City hospital systems, including NYU Langone Health and Mount Sinai Health, stopped providing gender-affirming care to minors following pressure from the Trump administration. In May, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas sent grand jury subpoenas to NYU and other hospitals for records of patients under 18 who have received gender-affirming care between 2026 and 2026.
Kei Williams, executive director of the New Pride Agenda, highlighted the importance of establishing funding frameworks to prepare for potential threats to Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care. “The federal government is conditioning funding and wielding subpoenas to terminate care for trans youth, and hospitals in New York are capitulating,” Williams stated. “Our state must step up to ensure this life-saving, medically necessary care remains accessible to all who need it.”
Growing Needs and Flat Funding
The budget did include $4.75 million in sustained funding for TWEF and $1.8 million for a new 24/7 LGBTQ+ crisis hotline via 988. However, advocates argue that these allocations fall short of addressing the growing needs of the community. Williams noted that while the preservation of TWEF funding is appreciated, the lack of expansion represents a missed opportunity to fully meet the current demands.
Roque also pointed out the increasing number of LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness. The Ali Forney Center’s waiting list has grown from an average of 300 to 450 young people since Trump’s second term began. Despite this rise, the RHY fund received only $8.4 million statewide, significantly less than the typical $10.4 million to $12.4 million allocation.
“They’re going to continue to have young people on these lists who have nowhere to go,” Roque said. “It places a greater burden on other systems: the incarceration system, hospital systems, and crisis hotlines.”
Mohamed Q. Amin, founder of the Caribbean Equality Project, expressed his outrage, stating, “This is not a neutral budget decision. It is a deliberate choice that abandons some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers, including Black and Brown trans youth and immigrants who are continuously pushed into homelessness because of family rejection, transphobia, racism, and their immigration status.”
In response to the criticism, Nicolette Simmonds, deputy press secretary for Governor Hochul, stated, “Since taking office, Governor Hochul has been a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, investing $15M in funding for transgender and non-binary wellness and equity. The Governor remains committed to protecting and expanding the health and well-being of all New Yorkers while working to eliminate disparities, supporting health equity across the state.”
Ultimately, advocates argue that the 2027 budget sends a clear message about the state’s priorities. Vladimir Martinez, managing director of Government and Community Affairs for The Center, stated, “Budgets are a statement of values; this state budget sends a clear message that our state is either unprepared or unwilling to fight on behalf of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.”
