For some New Yorkers, fundamental parts of their identity – their clothing, their speech, even their names – expose them to hostility and exclusion. Transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers experience persistent discrimination and face challenges simply earning a living, going to school, finding housing, and even safely walking down the street.

The NYCLU challenges discrimination in schools, workplaces, and other public spaces. We work to ensure state recognition of trans and non-binary identities and end the criminalization of these identities, and we fight against discriminatory policing that threatens trans New Yorkers, especially trans people of color. We also work to protect trans New Yorkers in jails and prisons from abuse, misgendering, and the denial of essential medical care like hormone therapy.