B-Roll, Video, Audio, Photos & Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul Signs Legislation to Protect New York's LGBTQ+ Community and Marches in New York City Pride March

Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul signed nation-leading legislation to protect and affirm the LGBTQ+ community ahead of her participation in New York City's annual Pride March. Governor Hochul signed a groundbreaking new law that makes New York a "safe haven" for the trans community by ensuring New York will protect trans youth, their parents and their doctors and another law which protects their right to receive addiction treatment and rehabilitation. The Governor also signed three new laws that update legal documents in New York to remove outdated and stigmatizing terminology.

B-ROLL of the event is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.

VIDEO of the event is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.

AUDIO of the event is available here.

PHOTOS of the event will be available on the Governor's Flickr page.

A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:

Thank you. Thank you everybody. We got everybody here. We're all set. Alright. Can you hear me okay? Alright. Let's crank up the sound here. Alright, let me start by saying this, Happy Pride New York! You heard all of the incredible people who've joined us here today, and I want to thank them for being part of this incredible celebration because nobody does it like New York and I'm happy that there's celebrations all over this country and all over the world, but no other place can say that they are the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ movement as right here in New York, my friends. Today we celebrate the values that define us as New Yorkers when we embrace love and equality, progress and acceptance, unity and celebration, and we've come here to say we are reaffirming our one thousand percent support for this magnificent community, our brothers and sisters here today.

And so, throughout the past we've had to march together. We've had to challenge the status quo. We've had to stand up against injustices of every form, and we've won those battles. But for me here today as the Governor of State of New York, that's not enough because there are people outside our borders, in other states, in the United States of America who do not have the same rights that we do here in New York and that is wrong. We are calling that out, standing together, shoulder to shoulder saying we're in solidarity with the rest of America. And this year, as if these other state governments have nothing else to do, they've introduced over 500 anti-LGBTQ pieces of legislation this year. Why don't you solve the other problems of society today? This is wrong. It is an injustice, and our friends should not have to be enduring these injustices.

So today, I stand together with champions of this movement who have joined us today to say, "No more." We will give you the template, rest of the country. We'll show you what you need to do. And I want to thank individuals from our state legislature who've been recognized, who've introduced a sweeping set of reforms, five pieces of legislation that are so important. And number one, we're going to make New York a safe haven for trans youth from all across this country. And we have so much more to do to lift up this community. And I was really honored to name the first trans male judge to the bench in American history, right here in New York.

We're also changing the definition of sexual orientation in our human rights law to make sure that it's not associated with criminal activity. We had to fix that in our law, and we're doing that right here and right now, so let's get that signed as well. We're also requiring gender neutral terms in our laws because why not? Why not? Why not? That's all you have to say is why not? It's a new day is right, Billy. It's a new day. Billy says it's a new day. I think there's a song about the new day coming. Okay. Alright. There will be. Alright.

Also, we're going to be requiring gender neutral language on state websites and requiring substance abuse services in accordance with treatment related to your gender identity because we have a lot of people, a lot of people suffering out there - mental health challenges and substance abuse, and they need our help in a way that they can be related to. And that's what we're talking about here today.

So today, we'll march. We'll have a lot of fun. This is New York, by the way. We always know how to do fun the best, but also, we leave here recommitted in our quest for justice and equality for all, and we'll always be that beacon to the rest of the nation on how to do it right. Because from Seneca Falls to Stonewall, we have stood up for people from the very beginning and let's continue it. One more time, New York. This is a community worth fighting for, and as long as I'm Governor, I'll make sure that the rights of the LGBTQ+ community are always protected. Let's get this done. New York, let's sign the bills.

But first of all, but I have a special treat for you. I have a special treat for you. We have with us, one of our Co-Grand marshals of the parade. Yes. Now this is someone - did I just hear the Attorney General? She always has a very distinctive voice. I know Attorney General James is here. I'm joined by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, our great leaders. But also, sometimes a movement needs a little bit of pizazz, right?

Because I'm just saying politicians aren't always the most exciting people. The present company excluded. So, sometimes you need someone who's got the voice and the power because of their actions and their life. And when they add their names to a movement, they can take it to the next level. So, I'm going to introduce a man who gets it, and why do I say he gets it? Well, how do you spell get? Oh, it's Grammy. It's Emmy. It's Tony. This is a guy who gets it. Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only, incomparable, Billy Porter.