NYC Invests $13.725 Million in Trans Futures
This is what investing in liberation looks like
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🔒 Up next for paid subscribers: I will be sharing an intimate experience about my first date and navigating that as a young transgender person in my 20s.
On August 14th, 2025, the NYC Transgender & Queer Provider Advocacy Coalition and the LGBTQ+ Caucus of the New York City Council hosted a press conference on the steps of City Hall to announce a historic win: $13.725 million in new city funding will be allocated for queer and transgender New Yorkers. This comes at a critical time amid federal rollbacks happening across the country, shortly after Destination Tomorrow announced the opening of Ace’s Place, the first transgender shelter in the nation.
I was honored to capture the words of my mother, Tabytha Gonzalez, who recently stepped into her new role as Director of Policy and Advocacy at Destination Tomorrow:
As the event continued with more special guests, my mother gestured for me to stand alongside her on the steps of City Hall with the rest of my community. While documenting this moment was important, her inclusion of me was a reminder that I need to sometimes stand in front of the camera instead of always being behind the lens.
As I stood there, I knew we were witnessing history. We stood united in solidarity, bracing ourselves for the fight ahead. As my mother Tabytha said, as long as we stand together, we will never be defeated.