LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating March 2014, as the Fifth Annual New
York State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Month

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
applaud those cultural events within the State of New York which serve
to celebrate diversity, and in doing so, help to enfranchise all popu-
lations within the larger community of humanity; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate March 2014, as the Fifth Annual New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
and Transgender Health Month; this year's theme is "Access to Care"; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
(LGBT) Health and Human Services Network ("the Network") is a coalition
of more than 50 nonprofit groups and organizations that provide health
and social services to LGBT New Yorkers and their families; and
WHEREAS, The Network members provide: health and wellness programs
including primary and preventative health care; social support and
education; mental health treatment and family counseling; domestic
violence and sexual assault services; crime victim assistance; homeless
youth services; and alcohol and substance abuse prevention; and
WHEREAS, By focusing on non-HIV related health needs, Network members
have worked diligently with New York State government to recognize the
continuum of health care needs in the LGBT communities; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1994, the Network is supported and administered by
the Empire State Pride Agenda Foundation and operates on a democratic,
consensual basis through the participation of Network members in a vari-
ety of work plan teams; and
WHEREAS, New York LGBT Health Month will encourage LGBT New Yorkers
and the organizations that serve them to educate, advocate, and organize
around LGBT health and wellness in all its forms - physical, sexual,
spiritual, emotional, and social; and
WHEREAS, New York LGBT Health Month will raise a better understanding
of LGBT health issues and the special health and social services needs
that LGBT people have, including increased rates of smoking, breast
cancer, substance abuse, HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and
depression and suicide attempts; and
WHEREAS, LGBT New Yorkers have disproportionately inadequate health-
care due to financial, cultural, and personal barriers; New York LGBT
Health Month encourages local groups, agencies, and organizations to
offer a full month of programs and events designed to educate, advocate,
and build community around the theme of LGBT health with a focus on
access to care, in particular for those to take advantage of new offer-
ings by way of the Affordable Care Act and to with a lens on increased
support for transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers seeking
necessary transition-related care; and
WHEREAS, New York LGBT Health Month has an alternate goal to build
community amongst LGBT people around New York State; and
WHEREAS, It is with great admiration that this Legislative Body recog-
nizes the efforts of all of the noble individuals who have worked on
behalf of New York LGBT Health Month, past and present, and wishes this
exemplary coalition continued success in its vital work on behalf of the
LGBT community it serves; and
WHEREAS, Our society is greatly benefited by the purposeful efforts of
individuals who unite for the cause of improving the quality of life for
others, and who proactively work toward the goal of dignity for all;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate March 2014, as the Fifth Annual New York Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender Health Month; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the New York State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
Health and Human Services Network.