Stonewall Democrats | NYC

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2026 Annual Event, Stonewall Forever, celebrating SDNYC’s 40th year! It was a joy to come together, build community, and celebrate all we’ve done together. We ere glad to welcome dozens of elected leaders and candidates for office at the event, and SDNYC was thrilled to recognize some true gems of our community: Brad Hoylman-Sigal (Manhattan Borough President), Mateo Guerrero (Trans Justice & Leadership Director, Make The Road New York) and Nadia Swanson (Director of Advocacy & Global Programs, Ali Forney Center). Here’s to 40 more years of progress 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

All photo credits: Donna Aceto Photography.
More pictures at SDNYC.org

💎 SAVE THE DATE 💎 2026 marks SDNYC’s 40th year - and our advocacy, activism, and energy for LGBTQ rights is every bit as urgent now as the day we were founded. Join us at our 2026 Annual Event, Stonewall Forever, where we’ll celebrate our community, our allies, and honor some of the true gems of our movement at the forefront of forging a better future for LGBTQ New Yorkers.

See https://sdnyc.org/40th for tickets and sponsorship info!

💎As we enter an exciting new era for NYC, we know that by strengthening relationships, building allies, and speaking out, SDNYC will continue our fight to advance the rights of LGBTQ New Yorkers, today, tomorrow, and forever 💎

Governor Hochul has until Dec. 31st to sign or veto hundreds of bills. Among them are four pieces of legislation that help protect and defend LGBTQ people from discrimination. Join SDNYC on Zoom Wednesday at 6:30 to briefly learn about the bills below and tools YOU can use to help ensure the Governor knows how important these issues are to our community. Register for the meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/t-VEfUG3Q4KBLakLEkKTVg

SDNYC Urges Governor Hochul To Sign:

* The Freedom to Read Act

* Shield Law 2.0

* New York Health Information Privacy Act:

* The Hospital Transparency Act

Victory!!! A HUGE congrats to the trans leaders who spearheaded the campaign to kick transphobes off the local school advisory board! For those catching up: over two years ago, a far right, hate filled group associated with Moms for Liberty got a majority in a number of parental advisory boards across NYC School Districts. They used that majority to attack trans kids, as well as number of other provisions that promote diversity and equity. Over the past year, trans leaders have been fighting back, and helped ensure that this year, we elected parents who are pro-LGBTQ, and actually want to let the board go back to helping all students thrive. SDNYC was proud to support these efforts. The results are in, and WE WON!!! This proves that hate has no home in NYC, that local elections matter, and that when we fight, we WIN.

NYC school board members with ties to right-wing Moms for Liberty ousted in local election Fewer than 18,200 parents cast ballots in a school system of close to 1 million children — a 4% decrease in participation since the last election cycle in 2023, the data showed.

Proud to be supporting out LGBTQ candidates for office, including Brad Hoylman-Sigal for Manhattan Borough President and Justin Sanchez for City Council!

LGBTQ candidates competing in primary election contests in NYC All eyes are on this month’s pivotal New York City mayoral race, but LGBTQ candidates are also on the ballot in other contests across the city, including the

The House Reconciliation Bill is an appalling attack on the health and safety of millions of Americans - particular the trans community. Thank goodness we have fighters at the federal level representing New York State who are standing up to defend our community and stop these provisions from becoming law. Thank you for speaking out and fighting back Senator Chuck Schumer U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Congressman Hakeem Jeffries Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Grace Meng Congressman Dan Goldman Congresswoman Yvette Clarke Congressman Jerry Nadler
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKe-7dXMUPK/?img_index=1

Andrew Cuomo counts same-sex marriage among his top accomplishments as governor, but he’s not targeting LGBTQ+ voters in his bid for New York City mayor. He’s taken a Rose Garden approach to campaigning and limited his appearances, which has contributed to cutting out crucial Democratic clubs that help drive LGBTQ+ voters to the polls.

Most notably, the former governor skipped a mayoral forum cohosted by the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn and other LGBTQ+ clubs in March. And he declined to partake in the clubs’ candidate questionnaires and interviews.

Cuomo was a same-sex marriage champion. He’s not courting LGBTQ+ votes now. The front-runner in the New York City mayoral primary snubbed LGBTQ+ political clubs, who shunned him in turn.

On Wednesday April 16th, the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC heard from candidates seeking election to the New York City Council.As the LGBTQ community faces attacks on our health, safety, rights, and dignity, it is crucial that we elect representatives who will fight back and support our community. Please see our endorsed candidates as well as our ranked vote recommendations in select races! https://sdnyc.org/blog/2025/4/17/sdnyc-2025-city-council-endorsements

SDNYC 2025 City Council Endorsements — Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC On Wednesday April 16th, the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC heard from candidates seeking election to the New York City Council. Primary Day is June 24th, and Early Voting is Sat. June 14th - Sat. June 22nd. Find your poll site here . As the LGBTQ community faces attacks on our health, safety, ri

LGBTQ New Yorkers: we have the power to ensure the next Mayor of NYC stands with our community. Read up on the candidates positions and get involved!

Mayoral hopefuls discuss gender-affirming care, Rikers, and more at LGBTQ forum With just three months remaining until the Democratic primary, six candidates vying to become the next mayor of New York City gathered at The Church of the

New York City is the heart and home of the modern LGBTQ+ movement, and it is essential that any candidate for public office, especially NYC Mayor, be responsive and connected to our community and our issues.

Join us in person or on Zoom on Thursday, March 27th from 7-9pm as we hear from candidates running in the Democratic Primary for Mayor of New York City about their positions, plans, and policies on issues important to the LGBTQ+ community.

Moderators will select from a list of questions submitted in advance by community members. Please submit a question via the form on the website & eventbrite.

https://sdnyc.org/blog/2025/3/18/lgbtq-mayoral-forum

Hosted by: NYC Pride & Power, Stonewall Democrats of NYC, Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn, and Equality NY.

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Last night, Democrats in the United States Senate successfully blocked transphobic legislation S9, a bill that cruelly targeted trans youth by attempting to tamper with Title IX to restrict participation in sports. The Stonewall Democrats of NYC previously called on leaders in Congress to reject the bill, and rallied with trans leaders and LGBTQ organizations locally and nationally to encourage Democrats to hold the line and demonstrate that the our party stands with transgender Americans.

In response to the vote, leaders from SDNYC’s executive board commented:

Gabriel Lewenstein, President of the Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC, said, “Despite the dire political climate and attempts to divide us, tonight’s vote gives us hope. Democrats are united against hate and bigotry, and we have the power to stop loathsome bills and protect our communities. The Stonewall Democrats of NYC are proud that every single New York Democrat in the House and the Senate voted to stand with the trans community. Thanks to the leadership of Senator Chuck Schumer, the entire Senate Democratic Caucus united in defense of the LGBTQ community and sent a powerful message to trans youth: you belong, and we will keep fighting to protect you.

Melissa Sklarz, Executive Vice President of Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC, and, as District Leader in AD 30, Part B, Queens, the only out elected trans official in New York City, said, “As a transgender New Yorker, I am grateful to Senator Chuck Schumer, and the Democratic conference in the Senate for voting no on another vile, reactionary, mean-spirited culture war item that does nothing to help improve the lives of Americans. These are terrible times for transgender Americans and my concern is it will get worse - and that all of us will be at risk. This victory today in the Senate is a moment to build on and to empower our trans community to go forth and keep fighting.”defeated-senate

Democrats defeat Republican transgender sports ban bill in U.S. Senate Republicans failed to get 60 votes to move the discriminatory bill forward.

Stonewall Democrats of NYC strongly condemn the cruel, dangerous, and discriminatory executive orders from the Trump Administration restricting gender affirming healthcare for trans youth, banning transgender military service, denying trans people accurate federal documents, and more. Using the strength of the federal government to go to war with the least empowered and most marginalized communities is a violation of our values as a nation. SDNYC urges all leaders at the local, state, and national level to speak out against attacks on the LGBTQ community.