NYC Establishes LGBTQIA+ Affairs Office, Appoints First Trans Director

Mayor Mamdani names Taylor Brown, a civil rights advocate, to lead the new office and become the highest-ranking transgender official in NYC history.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 9:18am

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Today, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani signed an executive order establishing the Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs and appointed Taylor Brown, currently an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General's office, as its director. With this appointment, Brown becomes the first transgender person to lead a City office or agency and the highest-ranking transgender person in the history of New York City government.

Why it matters

The new office will work to ensure LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers are protected from discrimination, have access to necessary healthcare and services, and are celebrated as part of the city's diverse community. The appointment of a transgender director underscores the city's commitment to LGBTQIA+ representation in government.

The details

The Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs will oversee and coordinate initiatives across city agencies to serve LGBTQIA+ residents, including assisting agencies in developing community liaisons, advancing anti-discrimination measures, providing legal resources, and supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals and families fleeing oppression. The office will also absorb and expand upon the existing NYC Unity Project.

  • Mayor Mamdani signed the executive order establishing the office today.
  • Taylor Brown was appointed as the office's first director.

The players

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who established the new Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.

Taylor Brown

An Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General's office, who was appointed as the first director of the new Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, making her the first transgender person to lead a City office or agency.

Julie Su

The Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice in New York City.

Letitia James

The New York State Attorney General.

Ronald Porcelli

The Director of the NYC Unity Project, which the new Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs will absorb and expand upon.

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What they’re saying

“New York City is proud of its LGBTQIA+ community and will refuse to deny healthcare, safety or dignity to anyone on the basis of their identity.”

— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani

“New York has given me everything -- life-saving health care, education, a home, a career, my chosen family, and a life of purpose. I am so proud to serve this city as the inaugural Director of the Mayor's Office for LGBTQIA+ Affairs.”

— Taylor Brown, Director, Mayor's Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs

“From housing insecurity to workplace discrimination to a lack of access to healthcare, the problems that LGBTQ+ New Yorkers face are not unique to their community, but they are felt disproportionately. Through an economic justice framework, we can ensure that LGBTQ+ New Yorkers can afford to stay in our city and enjoy all that it has to offer without having to hide any part of themselves.”

— Julie Su, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice

“In her time at the Office of the Attorney General, Taylor has been a tireless champion for fairness, dignity, and equal justice under the law. New Yorkers will be well served by her leadership, and I look forward to her continued service ensuring every LGBTQ+ New Yorker is protected and celebrated.”

— Letitia James, New York Attorney General

“By partnering with City agencies and community leaders, we helped align investments-from the LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund to Unity Grants-and establish the framework that ultimately made this new office possible. I'm proud to have helped advocate for and lay that groundwork alongside a number of extraordinary partners.”

— Ronald Porcelli, Director, NYC Unity Project

What’s next

The new Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs will begin coordinating initiatives across city agencies to support and protect the LGBTQIA+ community in New York City.

The takeaway

The establishment of the Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs and the appointment of a transgender director demonstrates New York City's commitment to LGBTQIA+ representation, inclusion, and equality. This new office will work to ensure the city's LGBTQIA+ residents have access to necessary services, are protected from discrimination, and are celebrated as part of the diverse fabric of the city.