Zohran Mamdani vows to make NY a 'sanctuary city' where trans youth are ‘protected and celebrated’

Zohran Mamdani pledged to make NYC a safe haven for transgender residents, promising major funding for gender-affirming care and LGBTQIA+ protections
PUBLISHED NOV 26, 2025
Zohran Mamdani said New York City will protect transgender people, vowing legal support, LGBTQIA+ sanctuary status, and expanded gender-affirming services (Getty Images, Omer Messinger/Getty Images)
Zohran Mamdani said New York City will protect transgender people, vowing legal support, LGBTQIA+ sanctuary status, and expanded gender-affirming services (Getty Images, Omer Messinger/Getty Images)


NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: New York City is on track to become a haven for transgender residents. Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected NYC mayor, spoke about his commitment to the transgender community. The young Democrat promised to stand firmly with transgender people and make the city fully pro-trans.

Sharing a message about the future of transgender rights, he said the city will be a safe place for transgender youth. Even during his mayoral campaign, Mamdani pledged $57 million for medical centers providing gender-affirming care, and an additional $8 million to develop new and expanded resources. He said that he would turn NYC into a “LGBTQIA+ sanctuary city.”

Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on November 05, 2025 in the Queens borough of New York City. Mamdani won a historic victory to become the city's 111th mayor defeating independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on November 05, 2025 in the Queens borough of New York City. Mamdani won a historic victory to become the city's 111th mayor, defeating independent mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa (Alexi J Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

Zohran Mamdani vows to make NYC a safe haven for transgender youth

CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 25:  Demonstrators protest for transgender rights on February 25, 2017 in Chi
Demonstrators protest for transgender rights in Chicago, Illinois (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

A viral clip shows Zohran Mamdani during an interview being congratulated on his election as NYC mayor. The interviewer said, "Zaron! Congratulations on starting your transition! Thank you very much! What would you like to say to trans kids out there who might be starting their transition?"

Mamdani smiled and replied, "Well, while these may be different transitions, we're going to make this a city that doesn't just protect trans kids, but also celebrates and cherishes them."

NYC mayor commits to advancing transgender rights and support

After securing the New York City mayoral seat, defeating Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, Zohran Mamdani made it clear that his administration would focus on protecting vulnerable communities, as per LGBTQ Nation. During his victory speech, he emphasized his commitment to supporting transgender individuals and those navigating their transitions.

“In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light,” Mamdani said. “Here, we believe in standing up for those we love, whether you are an immigrant, a member of the trans community, one of the many Black women that Donald Trump has fired from a federal job, a single mom still waiting for the cost of groceries to go down, or anyone else with their back against the wall. Your struggle is ours, too.”

Earlier in his campaign, Mamdani demonstrated his support for the trans community. He attended a Trans Day of Visibility rally in March and participated in a town hall focused on trans issues in May.

Even though a major part of his platform centered on making the city more affordable, he also stressed the importance of expanding and protecting gender-affirming care. He pledged to make NYC an LGBTQ+ “sanctuary city” and plans to create an Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs to further support the community.



“New York will not sit idly by while trans people are attacked,” he added. “We will deploy hundreds of lawyers to combat Trump’s hate, make New York City an LGBTQIA+ sanctuary city, and create the office of LGBTQIA+ affairs to allocate millions for youth and adult housing programs as well as gender-affirming care.”

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Trump called MTG a 'traitor' for expressing support for a bill to shed light on Epstein-related secrets
1 hour ago
Susie Wiles said she reviewed the Epstein documents and confirmed that Trump’s name appears in them
2 hours ago
Trump warned attendees that Israel’s influence in Washington is waning
2 hours ago
The moment took place as Trump was addressing guests gathered for the festive event in the White House on December 14
5 hours ago
Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said Brown University’s open campus allowed the person of interest to leave on-site camera coverage quickly
5 hours ago
DHS accused Ilhan Omar of making unsubstantiated allegations to demonize ICE for political purposes
5 hours ago
Following the event, Laura Loomer shared a video of the moment on X, saying she was honored to be recognized by the president
5 hours ago
Owens avoided drinking even her 'own water' amid security concerns, saying there was a 'lot going on'
6 hours ago
Appearing on CNN’s 'The Source' with Kaitlan Collins, she spoke rather frankly about Trump’s response to the murders of Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner
6 hours ago
Mike Francesa claims differing views on Trump sparked a feud between Mets stars Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo
6 hours ago