POLITICS
Council Boosts LGBTQ Funding, With Asterisks
A $9 million increase good for now, but not permanent in city budget
BY MATT TRACY
The City Council nearly doubled its
funding of LGBTQ initiatives in the
2020 fi scal year budget, but only a
small portion of that is permanent
and out gay Queens Councilmember Daniel
Dromm, the Finance Committee chair, is reminding
folks that the funding fi ght for queer
causes is far from over.
The Council, led by out gay Speaker Corey
Johnson, is notably expanding the funding of
LGBTQ initiatives from $10.9 million to $19
million this year. The largest chunk of the overall
funding — $7.7 million — is steered toward
ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic, while $2.3 million
is dedicated to continuing the Trans Equity
Program, which provides broad support to the
transgender and gender nonconforming population.
The Council is also giving $1.5 million to
LGBTQ senior services, $1.2 million to LGBTQ
youth mental health programs, $1.1 million
for HIV/ AIDS faith-based initiatives, and
$800,000 for LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum in
EMIL COHEN/ NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL
City Council Finance chair Daniel Dromm (left) and Speaker Corey
Johnson pushed through a major boost in funds for LGBTQ initiatives
in the 2020 budget adopted July 1.
city schools.
“Our local government must fund programs
that support the LBGTQ community, particularly
transgender people,” Johnson said in a
written statement. “Violence against transgender
women of color is on the rise, and they need
our help.”
The de Blasio administration’s funding initiatives
complement certain of the Council programs,
such as $1 million in LGBTQ educationrelated
support.
Most of the Council’s funding, however, is not
baselined, meaning that it is not embedded into
the city budget for future years and is subject to
cuts. In fact, the only baselined Council funds
for LGBTQ initiatives are $365,000 for gender
equity liaisons and $390,000 for transgender
healthcare training. Continuing this funding
level will require negotiation with the mayor’s
offi ce in future budgets.
Dromm, who chairs the Finance Committee,
heaped strong praise on city leaders, especially
Johnson, for allocating more money towards the
LGBTQ-related initiatives. But he also pointed
out the sobering reality that it is simply not
enough money.
“We’re proud of it, don’t get me wrong,” said
Dromm, a former teacher. “But it’s a bit of a drop
in the bucket in the sense of the overall budget.”
Among the LGBTQ education initiatives include
direct instruction and the development of
gender and sexuality alliances (GSAs), formerly
➤ COUNCIL FUNDING, continued on p.35
Torres Lands First Congressional Endorsement
Bronx lawmaker vying to replace outgoing Representative José Serrano in 2020
BY MATT TRACY
The Equality PAC — the political
branch of the Congressional LGBT
Equality Caucus — has thrown its
support behind out gay Bronx City
Councilmember Ritchie Torres in his 2020 bid
for Congress, giving the 31-year-old lawmaker
his fi rst endorsement of the race for the 15th
district.
“As the fi rst openly LGBT elected offi cial from
the Bronx and the only Afro-Latino elected offi
cial in New York State, New York City Councilmember
Ritchie Torres is used to making
history — and he’s poised to make history once
more as the fi rst LGBT Member of Congress
from New York City and the fi rst Afro-Latino
LGBT Member of Congress,” Congressmember
Mark Takano of California, who serves as
the co-chair of Equality PAC, said in a written
statement. “Equality PAC is proud to jump into
this open Democratic seat race early — and to
be the fi rst LGBT and national organization to
endorse Ritchie.”
The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus
EMIL COHEN/ NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL
Out gay Bronx Councilmember Ritchie Torres has picked up his fi rst
endorsement in his bid to replace outgoing Congressmember Jose
Serrano in 2020.
boasts more than 150 congressmembers and
its PAC backs both LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ
candidates who run for offi ce. The PAC is able to
shell out up to $5,000 for primary races and an
additional $5,000 for general election contests.
Torres is among a handful of lawmakers
seeking to replace longtime Congressmember
José Serrano in the 15th Congressional
District. Assemblymember Michael Blake and
homophobic Councilmember Ruben Diaz, Sr.,
have offi cially declared their candidacies for the
race, while State Senator Gustavo Rivera has
opened a campaign committee.
In a phone interview, Torres welcomed the
endorsement and praised the Equality PAC for
its work in advancing LGBTQ causes.
“The Equality PAC is one of the most formidable
PACs in Washington DC,” Torres said. “It
is known to be an aggressive spender and the
race is going to be a priority for the Equality
PAC.”
Torres said the PAC is eyeing his race for
two reasons: First, they acknowledge the prospect
of Torres becoming the fi rst LGBTQ black
or Latinx elected offi cial and the fi rst LGBTQ
member of the New York City congressional
delegation, and second, they see the danger in
➤ RITCHIE TORRES, continued on p.35
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