Zohran Mamdani honors trans activist Sylvia Rivera, says NYC will be a pro-trans "sanctuary city"https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/10/zohran-mamdani-honors-trans-activist-sylvia-rivera-says-nyc-will-be-a-pro-trans-sanctuary-city/ 🔗Daniel Villarreal (13 Oct 2025)
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani honored trailblazing Hispanic transgender activist Sylvia Rivera in a new campaign ad in which he pledged to "deploy hundreds of lawyers" to fight Donald Trump's anti-trans attacks and make New York City a sanctuary city for trans people.
"It was here on the physical margins of our city that they found a home," Mamdani said of Rivera in the ad. "She arrived here at the age of 11, where she immediately landed in the center of the gay rights movement. She befriended the legendary Marsha P Johnson, protested at Stonewall, and led marches for equality. But even among the queer community, trans New Yorkers were excluded. Rivera and others were discouraged from walking in Pride, their participation erased from Stonewall history."
Near the end of his two-minute video honoring Rivera's activism, Mamdani said, "Since taking office, Donald Trump has waged a scorched-earth campaign against trans people. The man with the most power has expended enormous energy targeting those with the least."
"New York will not sit idly by while trans people are attacked," he continued. "We will deploy hundreds of lawyers to combat Trump's hate, make New York City an LGBTQIA+ sanctuary city, and create the office of LGBTQIA+ affairs to allocate millions for youth and adult housing programs as well as gender-affirming care."
"We can't bring Sylvia back, but we can honor her memory by building a city where trans New Yorkers are cherished," Mamdani concluded. "In a time of darkness, New York must be the light."
