New York, NY (January 25, 2019) – Harlem United, a nationally recognized housing, health and human services organization, applauds Governor Andrew M. Cuomo for his continuing commitment to protecting the rights and improving the lives of all New Yorkers.
Through his 2019 Justice Agenda, Governor Cuomo once again shows his commitment to advancing critically important social and economic policies to help improve the lives of all New Yorkers. The Governor pledged to protect quality, affordable healthcare by codifying the Affordable Care Act, to improve access to substance use disorder and mental health care by removing insurance barriers, and to protect women’s reproductive rights. The Governor also pledged to protect transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers from discrimination through the passage of the Gender Identity and Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), to ban conversion therapy and the “gay panic” defense, reduce barriers to housing and strengthen tenants’ rights, and advance voting reforms to ensure all New Yorkers are able to participate in the democratic process.
Harlem United commends Governor Cuomo for his continued decisive and progressive leadership on these and other issues that affect our communities on a daily basis. The Governor’s leadership and support for protections of the rights of all New Yorkers, including the most vulnerable and underserved, is especially important in the face of the ongoing and dangerous negativity and hate fueled by the federal administration.
Jacquelyn Kilmer, Harlem United’s CEO, said “Now perhaps more than ever before in our history, we need strong state leadership. Once again, Governor Cuomo delivers. Through his bold 2019 Justice Agenda, and swift action to enact GENDA, the ban on conversion therapy, the Reproductive Health Act, and voting reforms, the Governor continues to show the unwavering leadership needed to lead our state and set an example for the nation. On behalf of the communities we serve, Harlem United thanks Governor Cuomo for his leadership and support, and looks forward to partnering with him to serve those in need.”
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About Harlem United
Founded in 1988, Harlem United is a nationally recognized human services organization that provides full access to integrated health care and social services for individuals experiencing multiple and complex issues, including HIV and AIDS, social stigma, mental illness, chronic substance and alcohol use, homelessness, and extreme poverty — regardless of race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. www.harlemunited.org
