Lower Manhattan, New York – In honor of National Day Out, New York lawmakers and the NYPD announced a plan to protect transgender youth.
The New York Police Department on Tuesday launched new technology that officers can use on the street to expand their support for LGBTQAI+ New Yorkers.
“The app we’re talking about today, it’s of tremendous importance,” said former New York State Senator Tom Doan.
“It will become an invaluable tool for providing assistance to crime victims and facilitating access to community and policing in neighborhoods,” said NYPD Police Commissioner Kishant Sewell.
The NYPD Commissioner was joined by current and former lawmakers to roll out this new resource on National Exit Day, which is now in its 34th year.
The new app was installed Tuesday on the smartphones of nearly 35,000 officers in the department.
It has interactive maps to make it easy to find support and services in real time.
“If someone is looking for legal shelter, medical, mental health or a range of vital services, they can now turn to any NYPD official for help,” Sewell said.
Hopefully, more members of the LGBT community will turn to NYPD officers – especially after they were banned from Pride Parade in 2021 after a slew of complaints that their presence was intimidating.
“Now NYPD officers will have this critical information at their fingertips and will be able to share it with the people we serve,” Sewell said.
“On National Exodus Day, we announce our legislation to fight again in the war against transgender youth,” said New York State Senator Brad Hoelman.
Meanwhile, in West Village on Tuesday, state legislators and members of the LGBTQ+ community put in place proposed legislation to sponsor gender affirmation — a critical support not available in other states.
“We welcome transgender children and their families to New York with open arms by making New York State a safe haven for these young people and their families,” Hoelman said.
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