On Tuesday, February 2, 2021, Senator Brad Hoylman and Assembly member Amy Paulin’s bill to repeal a discriminatory law colloquially known as “Walking While Trans,” passed with bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, fulfilling a promise he made exactly a year ago at the HRC New York gala.

For over four decades, New York’s Loitering for the Purpose of Prostitution law allowed police to profile, harass and arrest Black and Brown transgender women simply for existing. It is now a thing of the past.

Today we thank the Black and Brown grassroots advocates, led by the Repeal Walking While Trans coalition, who organized, educated, and mobilized every day New Yorkers to take action and put an end to this discriminatory and dangerous practice.

Today we thank Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, and bill sponsors Senator Hoylman and Assembly member Paulin for hearing the transgender community's call for change and making this important issue an early priority of this legislative session.

Today we honor Black and Brown transgender women who came before us, those who are with us, and those who will come after us. By repealing the #WalkingWhileTrans Ban, our transgender sisters of color will be able to walk freely across New York State without the fear of being harassed and violated by the police simpy for existing in public.

This win is for Marsha!

This win is for Sylvia!

This win is for Layleen!

This win is for Lorena!

This win is for Mary Jones!

Today is a new day for transgender New Yorkers. Tomorrow we continue the fight towards full liberation.