New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has created the city’s first Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs and appointed attorney Taylor Brown as its inaugural director.
The office was announced on March 13, 2026, during an event at the Brooklyn Community Pride Center in Brooklyn. It is designed to coordinate LGBTQIA+ policy across city agencies, improve access to services, and strengthen anti-discrimination efforts.
Brown, who previously worked in the New York State Attorney General’s Civil Rights Bureau, is the first openly transgender person to lead a New York City mayoral office or agency.
Mamdani said the office reflects the city’s commitment to protecting LGBTQIA+ residents and ensuring access to healthcare, safety, and equal treatment.
Brown said she plans to work across government agencies to support inclusive policies and address barriers faced by LGBTQIA+ communities.
The office is expected to serve as a central point for LGBTQIA+ initiatives and outreach within the city government.
City officials said the new office will help streamline communication between advocacy groups and government departments. It will also support programs related to housing, healthcare access, youth services, and legal protections for LGBTQIA+ residents.
Advocates have pointed to the creation of a dedicated office as a structural step that can help ensure LGBTQIA+ issues are consistently addressed in policymaking. They say having a central office with leadership representation can improve coordination across agencies and make services more accessible to residents who need them.
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