December Action Meeting: Urge Gov Hochul to Sign LGBTQ Legislation

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. 


SDNYC Urges Governor Hochul To Sign:

  • The Freedom to Read Act ( Simone A7777 / May S1099) would fight school districts across NYS that have tried to ban books with LGBTQ content by requiring statewide regulations that make sure library collections are vibrant and inclusive. 

  • Shield Law 2.0 (S.4914-B (Hoylman-Sigal)/A.5480-C (Bronson)) will strengthen, and fill gaps in, our state's shield laws to ensure that New York State will not be complicit in hostile states' and the Trump Administration's efforts to investigate, prosecute, or punish those who seek, provide, and facilitate reproductive health care and gender-affirming care in New York.

  • New York Health Information Privacy Act: (S.929- Hinchey /A.2141 - Rozic) will help New Yorkers to know whether the hospital in their area provides the care they need prior to admission and would assist the State in identifying care deserts where particular types of care are completely unavailable. It takes on new urgency as hospitals began denying gender-affirming care in response to Trump’s anti-trans executive orders; community members, families, and advocates have been desperately seeking information about which hospitals are denying care.

  • The Hospital Transparency Act (A.3862/S.3486)(S.929 (Krueger)/A.2141(Rosenthal)) will give New Yorkers more control over their electronic health information, like Fitbit, smartwatch, and period tracking app data, and make it harder for hostile states or the federal government to use those data to investigate, prosecute, or punish people who seek, provide, or support access to health reproductive health care and gender-affirming care in New York.

SDNYC Constitution and By-Laws - Proposed Amendment

Over the last four months the SDNYC Constitutional Review Committee, composed of members of the SDNYC Full Board and Members, has read through the existing documents governing our club and considered changes and updates to better reflect our current values, operations, and needs. The Committee shared the proposed changes with the SDNYC Full Board for review and comment. 

Per the SDNYC Constitution, Article X, "Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed by the Board ... and submitted to the Secretary. To become effective, any amendment so proposed must be approved and adopted thereafter by two-thirds of the members present at two meetings of the Club that shall be at least one week apart.” 

SDNYC Members will be asked to vote for the first of two times at the Membership Meeting Dec 10, with the ballot remaining open for 24 hours. Any questions or comments can be submitted to stonewalldemocraticclubnyc@gmail.com

Full Changes Proposed Here

Summary of Changes:

  • Updates terminology included in club purpose to reflect diversity of the  LGBTQ+ movement 

  • Standardizes and clarifies language and roles for At Large vs Executive Board Members

  • Clarifies responsibilities of Club Officers 

  • Reduces in time new Members must have paid dues to vote from 90 to 60 days 

  • Removes language requiring in person votes to reflect post-pandemic electronic voting norm

  • Adjusts rules for the SDNYC Tenured Board, including removal of clause for new Tenured Board Member, and adds requirement to attend four Board meetings over previous 12 month period year to vote 

  • Removes SDNYC Board of Governors 

  • Clarifies rules governing endorsements in ranked choice elections, assigned to committee 

  • Amends and adds to club Code of Conducts and adds process for resolving complaints or concerns

Reflection on World AIDS Day 2025

Today, December 1, we join communities across the world in marking World AIDS Day—a moment to remember the lives taken by HIV/AIDS, to honor the resilience of those living with HIV, and to reaffirm our commitment to ending this epidemic once and for all. It is a day that grounds us in the stories of courage, loss, love, and perseverance that define our shared history, while reminding us that our work is far from finished.

We reflect on the extraordinary progress made—from breakthroughs in treatment to powerful tools like PrEP and PEP that prevent transmission and help countless people live long, healthy lives. Yet we also recognize the inequalities that persist. Access to care remains uneven, stigma continues to cause harm, and marginalized communities still bear a disproportionate burden. Progress means little if it does not reach everyone.

From the earliest days of the crisis, it was advocates, caregivers, and everyday community members whose voices and persistence pushed this movement forward. Their dedication is carried on today by organizations, activists, and leaders—including each of us within the Stonewall Democratic Club. Our mission compels us to champion policies that protect LGBTQ New Yorkers, ensure equitable healthcare, and uphold the capacity of local organizations to deliver lifesaving services and expand prevention efforts.

This year has also brought dangerous developments that have affected global HIV/AIDS initiatives. Earlier in the year, changes to U.S. foreign aid policy carried out by the current administration in Washington included a freeze on certain funding streams, which disrupted a range of international public health programs, including those focused on HIV prevention and treatment. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)—a major provider of HIV-related support worldwide—faced reductions in its budget, raising concerns among public health experts about the stability of programs that many countries rely on. In addition, the U.S. State Department this month advised employees and grantees not to use government funds or official communication channels to mark World AIDS Day. These dangerous and devastating setbacks have underscored the importance of consistent support for programs that serve vulnerable populations.

We call on our elected leaders at every level of government to safeguard the essential HIV/AIDS services that community organizations rely on to save lives and expand prevention.

As we remember those no longer with us, we honor their memory not only in reflection but in action. World AIDS Day calls on us to stand united—fighting stigma, demanding equity, and ensuring that no community is forgotten or left behind. Together, we continue the work of building a future where HIV/AIDS is no longer a threat and where justice, dignity, and compassion guide us forward.

SDNYC Statement on the Results of the 2025 Elections

Tuesday’s victory for Zohran Mamdani is a powerful affirmation of a bold, people-centered vision for New York. Zohran has consistently fought for working-class communities, tenants, immigrants, LGBTQ and all those too often left out of our political process. His unwavering support of trans people sends a strong message: supporting rights and diversity wins elections. Voters resoundingly embraced that in the highest turnout election in nearly 40 years. 

As the Stonewall Democrats of NYC, we are proud to congratulate Mayor-Elect Mamdani and all of our endorsed candidates on their victories tonight. 

With pride, we celebrate the victories of, Brad Hoylman-Sigal in making history asManhattan Borough President and Council Members Justin Sanchez, Erik Bottcher, Lynn Schulman, Crystal Hudson, Tiffany Cabàn and Chi Ossé. Their success reflects the strength of our shared values and the work of organizers, volunteers, and voters who believe in a New York that is inclusive, equitable, and just for all. We look forward to continuing this partnership and delivering meaningful progress for our communities.

Stay Tuned: SDNYC’s next General Members Meeting will be announced soon. Though we usually meet the 4th Wednesday of each month, we have decided not to meet Wed. Nov 26th (the day before Thanksgiving). A new date will be shared soon… we look forward to seeing you then!