Tuesday, May 16, 2023
9:00am – 5:00pm
Albany, Ny & Online
The 2023 NYS LGBTQI Virtual Advocacy Day is your chance to connect with 300+ LGBTQI individuals and allies from around the state to and collectively advocate for policies that will lead to a more equitable state for all LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, and Intersex) New Yorkers.
What to Expect:
Advocacy Day is an exciting time to meet LGBTQI activists from around the state to advocate for policies that will lead to a more equitable New York for all LGBTQI New Yorkers. This one-day advocacy day, along with its pre-programming, will include panels, workshops, elected official visits, and coalition building. This year’s advocacy day will be held in a hybrid format.
In-person participation will be based on first come, first serve. We have the capacity to accommodate 150 people in Albany, NY. However, all programming will be streamed virtually. Programming online will be done through zoom and links will be available prior to the day.
Language Access in English and Spanish
This year, we will be providing simultaneous interpretation in English/Spanish for all Advocacy Day panels, both those prior and those on the day.
Acceso lingüístico en inglés y español
Este año, ofreceremos interpretación simultánea en inglés/español para todos los paneles del Día de la Abogacía, tanto los previos como los del día.
What We Are Fighting For:
The 2023 NYS LGBTQI Virtual Advocacy Day will include panels, workshops, elected official visits, and coalition building. As we build on the historic wins that occurred over the last few months, we will strategically move our equality platform ahead and discuss strategies to continue to improve the lives of LGBTQI New Yorkers. This year, we will prioritize the following legislation:
Make New York A Safe Haven for Transgender Youth & Families
S2475-A(Holyman ) / A6046-A(Bronson)
This bill relates to allowing and safeguarding transgender youth and their families who relocate or are native to New York to be protected from out-of-state laws or subpoenas that prohibit their families to determine their child’s need for gender-affirming care.
Decriminalizing Sex Work Bill
S4396 (Salazar) / TBD (Forrest)
This bill relates to the decriminalization of sex work; repealer.
Gender Identity Respect Dignity and Safety Act
S2860 (Salazar) / A709-A (Rozic)
This bill relates to the treatment and placement of incarcerated people based upon gender identity.
Pre-Advocacy Day Happy Hour w/ Elected Officials & Activists:
Tuesday, May 15, 2023 from 6:00PM-9:00PM
Oh Bar304 Lark St, Albany, NY 12210
Join us for an evening of drinks, food, and good company. Advocates and Elected Officals will gather together beofre Advocacy Day.
Agenda:
9:00AM-9:45AM
Registration & Breakfast
In-person participants will network and enjoy coffee/tea and bagels in the Legislative Office Building (LOB) Room 211.
10:00AM-10:45AM
Welcome, Sponsors Remarks, & Activist Kickoff (Hearing Room A)
Amanda Babine & Ace Sutherland, Equality New York
Senator Hoylman & Assemblymember Gonzalez Rojas
Mateo Guerrero, Make the Road
Julia & Z, EQNY’s Youth Advisory Council
Reginald Evans, The Riverside Church
Trevon Meyers & Vladimir Martinez, The LGBT Center
11:00AM-11:45AM
Session 1 Workshops & Panels
Hearing Room A
National LGBTQI Landscape: Trans Safe Haven Bills & Other Allied Legislation
This panel will take a look at the current Anti-TGNCNB & Anti-LGBTQ bills happening around the country. The participants will talk about how these bills will impact our community not just nationally but also here in New York. There will be a focus on the current New York State Trans Safe Haven Bill.
Moderator: Nadia Swanson, Ali Forney Center
Samuel Nemir, Advocate
Melissa Sklarz, Equality New York
Rachael Pelton, The LGBT Center
C Romero, Advocate
MJ Okma, Sage
Room 211
Protecting Gender-Expansive People Who Are Incarcerated in New York State
This panel will discuss the importance of passing this bill and its impact on Transgender people in jails and prisons. The New York State criminal justice system often refuses basic rights to TGNCNB individuals who are incarcerated. Incarcerated TGNCNB people face much higher rates of violence, extortion, discrimination, lost opportunity, access to medications and basic needs.
Moderator: Lettie Dickerson Empire Justice Center
Grace Detrevarah, The Osborne Association
Deborah Lolai,The Bronx Defenders
Allie Bohm, NYCLU
12:00PM-12:45PM
Lunch Break (Legislative Office Building, Room 211)
In-person participants will network and enjoy lunch. Lunch will be provided!
1:00PM-1:45PM
Press Conference (Million Dollar Staircase, 3rd Floor)
Join elected officials and activists on the Million Dollar Staircase in Albany to strategically move our equality platform ahead and continue to improve the lives of LGBTQI New Yorkers.
Senator Hoylman
Assemblymember Gonzalez Rojas
Jake Martinez, NYCLU
Assemblymember Harry Bronson
Juli Grey-Owens, Gender Equality New York
2:00PM-2:45PM
Elected Official Visits
Join a group of 6-8 other activists who will be assigned to an elected official. Each group will be tasked with sharing the policy priorities with elected officials and asking for their support/co-sponsorship of priorities. If in person, meetings will take place in Albany LOB, and virtual meetings will be scheduled over zoom.
Must Pre-Register
3:00PM-3:45PM
Session 2 Workshops & Panels
Hearing Room A
Fighting for Trans Liberation in New York State
This panel will focus on the history and future of Trans Liberation in New York State. Centering different trans voices (immigrant, disabled, BIPOC, and more) will help us to ensure that liberation includes everyone. There would be a focus on how to amplify the message while staying true to our marginalized identities.
Moderator: Tabbytha Bee. Trans Formations Project
Jules Aviv Rose, Community Member
Mohamed Q. Amin, Caribbean Equality Project
Tiffany Jade Munroe, Caribbean Equality Project
Room 211
Sex Work Decriminalization as LGBTQI Liberation
This panel will delve into the intersection of LGBTQI rights and sex workers’ rights – the history behind criminalization of queer and paid sex [and anything deemed “variant”]; the representation of queer folks in the sex industry; and the need to utilize political goodwill and connections LGBTQI advocates have fought for to fight for decriminalization of prostitution.
Moderator: Melissa Broudo, Esq, Decriminalize Sex Work
Tanya Walker, Equality New York
Faris Ilyas, Esq., Sex Workers Project
Avery Mauel, Sex Worker Advocate
4:00PM-4:30PM
Activist Goodbye
Hearing Room A
Moderator: Amanda Babine (She/Her) Equality New York