The AABANY LGBTQ Committee hosted a virtual meeting on October 7, 2026 with attorneys from the New York State Attorney General’s Office, Civil Rights Bureau, for a discussion on New York’s efforts to protect access to gender-affirming care and safeguard diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives amid federal challenges.
The panel provided an overview of the legal tools the Attorney General’s Office uses to protect civil rights, including litigation challenging federal policies affecting transgender youth and healthcare providers, enforcement of state anti-discrimination laws, and legislative protections. Speakers discussed New York’s Shield Law, which helps protect patients and providers from certain out-of-state investigations and legal actions involving legally protected healthcare provided in New York. The discussion highlighted the Office’s efforts to address discriminatory practices in healthcare and defend DEI programs against federal actions that threaten initiatives designed to promote racial equity and inclusion. The AG’s guidance on New York Shield Law can be found here.
Attendees gained a broad understanding of the New York State Human Rights Law and the Attorney General’s amicus practice, through which the Office contributes its perspective and expertise to significant legal proceedings. Together, these topics offered insight into the range of legal strategies available to protect transgender communities, preserve access to healthcare, and advance civil rights amid an evolving legal and policy landscape.
The discussion resonated with attendees, particularly those whose experiences reflect the intersection of multiple identities. As one attendee expressed, “Thank you so much for sharing the great work that you do, and for your efforts in defending our rights, especially those of us at the intersection of racial and gender identity minorities!”
To learn more about AABANY’s LGBTQ Committee and how you can get involved, go here.
