New York Landmarks to Shine Pink, White, and Blue for Transgender Day of Visibility

New York State landmarks will be illuminated in the colors of the transgender pride flag—pink, white, and blue—on Monday night in observance of Transgender Day of Visibility. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the celebration, which aims to reaffirm the state's commitment to supporting, affirming, and celebrating transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals.

A Beacon of Hope and Acceptance

Fifteen landmarks across New York State will participate in the lighting ceremony, including iconic structures like One World Trade Center in New York City, the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building in Albany, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in Tarrytown, and Niagara Falls. Governor Hochul emphasized New York's historical significance as the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, highlighting the contributions of trailblazers like Marsha P. Johnson, whose courage and leadership ignited the fight for equality.

“New York is proud to be the birthplace of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, with trailblazers like Marsha P. Johnson, whose courage and leadership sparked the fight for equality,” Hochul said in a news release Monday. “While the Trump administration is attacking the existence of trans people through harmful policies and rhetoric, New York remains a beacon of hope and acceptance. On Transgender Day of Visibility, we honor the strength and resilience of the transgender community.”

Marsha P. Johnson was a prominent trans activist renowned for her pivotal role in the 1969 Stonewall uprising and her tireless work advocating for transgender women of color. She co-founded the trans advocacy group Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, leaving an indelible mark on the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

Federal Backlash Amidst State Support

In recent months, there has been a concerning trend of federal actions that undermine the recognition and protection of transgender individuals. In February, references to transgender and queer people were removed from the Stonewall National Monument's webpage, and “LGBTQ+” was shortened to “LGB” on the National Park Service’s website. These changes followed President Donald Trump's executive order declaring that the U.S. government would only recognize two unchangeable sexes—male and female.

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who represents the historic Stonewall Inn and is one of the few LGBTQ+ members of the State Senate, expressed his deep concern over these federal attacks on the trans community. He emphasized that New York State has leaders who understand the importance of accepting people for who they are and have made it a “safe haven” for all transgender individuals.

Leading the Way in Protection

Governor Hochul's proclamation recognizes New York as a state that champions the rights of transgender people. It highlights the fact that New York was the first state to implement statewide regulations prohibiting harassment and discrimination based on gender identity. This proactive approach underscores the state's commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all its residents.