Dear NYC Pride Executive Board and Sandra Pérez, Executive Director:

Housing Works, a 33-year-old healthcare and advocacy organization, founded by LGBTQ members of ACT UP during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis of New York City, has been a longtime participant in New York City’s Pride festivities, including the annual March. We are writing to you in collaboration with our colleagues at Alliance for Positive Change, Callen-Lorde, and Harlem United. Today we are very concerned as Governor Kathy Hochul is about to make devastating cuts to LGBTQ healthcare through the impending 340B carve out.

We are writing to ask for your support on this issue and for your commitment: that should Governor Hochul proceed with these cuts, she will not be invited to participate in this year’s Pride March. As LGBTQ-led organizations working to provide lifesaving services to low-income LGBTQ New Yorkers, we will not remain silent on this issue. If the 340B carve out moves forward, Governor Hochul’s status as an LGBTQ ally is revoked. We would not participate in a parade that lifts up a Governor who does not support all LGBTQ New Yorkers.

Won’t you please stand with us and voice your support for LGBTQ community healthcare?

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Housing Works

Alliance for Positive Change

Callen-Lorde

Harlem United

cc: Governor Kathy Hochul