ICYMI: Governor Hochul's Op-ed in Crain's New York: We Are Making New York a Beacon of Economic Inclusivity

Today, Crain's New York published an op-ed by Governor Kathy Hochul to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month by highlighting the meaningful steps taken to support the economic success of the LGBTQ+ community across the State, earning New York the top ranking in Out Leadership's LGBTQ+ State Business Climate Index for the third year in a row. The text of the op-ed is available below and can be viewed online here.

Four years ago, I had the honor of presiding over the passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, which banned workplace discrimination against transgender people. While I knew there was still more to do, it was a major step toward making New York a safer, more inclusive place to work, and it was a massive victory in our state's long fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

From Seneca Falls—the birthplace of the women's rights movement—to Stonewall, New Yorkers have led the nation in the battle for equal rights. As the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ movement, we have made incredible strides toward establishing New York as a welcoming home by defending everyone's fundamental rights.

This is a big reason why Out Leadership—a global LGBTQ+ advocacy organization that works to build business opportunities and drive equality forward—named New York the highest-ranking state on their LGBTQ+ State Business Climate Index for the third year running.

The index grades states on policies, protections, and resources directly impacting LGBTQ+ workers and businesses. New York achieved the highest overall grade and received perfect scores on key issues, including employee nondiscrimination laws, support for LGBTQ+ youth, health support, and hate crime protections.

We are proud to receive recognition for everything we—and our business community—are doing to make New York a beacon of economic inclusivity. It is an honor to lead this fight, but we understand the importance of such a responsibility, especially when other states are working to dismantle the progress made.

Far-right extremists are doing everything they can to roll back LGBTQ+ rights and eradicate the progress generations have fought for.

State legislatures have introduced a record number of bills attacking LGBTQ+ communities, especially transgender youth. At least 20 states have passed restrictions, or outright bans, on transgender athletes' participation in sports while 18 states have adopted laws barring gender-affirming medical care for minors. Dozens of anti-LGBTQ+ bills—targeting everything from education and health care to free speech and civil rights—have been signed into law throughout the country.

But I won't let us go backward—not here in New York. We know that everyone, regardless of who they are or who they love, deserves a government that recognizes them, affirms them, and gives them the freedom to live their true, honest, loving self.

And when they come for New Yorkers, we stand up and fight back.

As governor, I have advanced major equity initiatives to help create a safer, fairer, and more inclusive New York. We have more than doubled funding for the LGBTQ+ Health and Human Services Network and established the Lorena Borjas Transgender Wellness and Equity Fund. We expanded options for gender markers to allow New Yorkers to choose "X" on driver's licenses and other official state documents.

Transgender New Yorkers are now able to change their names or gender designations on marriage certificates without leaving their dead names on them. We increased funding for runaway and homeless youth services and dedicated $20 million to building LGBTQ+-affirming affordable senior housing.

And, in the wake of increased hate crimes directed toward LGBTQ+ Americans, I invested $3.5 million to address different biases and challenges across the state and signed legislation to strengthen protections, promote acceptance, and help prevent future violence.

So, for companies residing in states demonizing LGBTQ+ workers, we say: come to New York and join the other businesses already flourishing here. Employees want to work for companies that respect their rights, and consumers watch these decisions. The best way for companies to send the message that they value the well-being of their workers is to operate in a state that does as well.

And nobody does it better than New York.