New York City Health Department Marks the Start of Pride Month
The Health Department Hosted its Second Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Non-Binary Health Summit.
The Health Department Will Join Numerous Pride Events This Month to Celebrate LGBTQ+ New Yorkers and Share Health Promotional Materials at Pride Celebrations.
June 5, 2025 — The New York City Health Department (NYC Health Department) is excited to join New York City in celebrating the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender nonconforming and non-binary, queer, and intersex (LGBTQ+) communities. This month — and all year round — the Health Department honors past generations of LGBTQ+ individuals who have paved the way for today’s vibrant and resilient queer community, and re-commits to protecting the health and well-being of all LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.
Throughout June, the NYC Health Department will distribute free safer sex products and health promotional materials at celebrations across the city, including Queens Pride (June 1), Youth Pride Fest (June 7), Brooklyn Pride (June 14), Folsom Street East (June 15), Bronx Pride (June 21), National HIV Testing Day in Union Square (June 24), Harlem Pride (June 28), and PrideFest (June 29). The Health Department will walk in this year’s Pride March (June 29).
”NYC would not be the great city it is without the contributions and leadership of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers have contributed so much to our city, and we are honored to celebrate Pride with them all throughout June,” said Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “The NYC Health Department is proud of the strides that have been made in access to health care and human rights for New York City’s queer communities, but our work is not done. We are committed to ensure that every individual has access to the care they need and deserve.”
On May 20th the NYC Health Department hosted its second Transgender, Gender Nonconforming, and Non-Binary (TGNCNB) Health Summit. The summit built on the work of the TGNCNB Community Advisory Board (TCAB), a cornerstone of the Health Department’s LGBTQ+ initiatives, the goal of which is to ensure that programs and services are inclusive, affirming, and directly benefit TGNCNB New Yorkers. The summit included a full day of discussion panels highlighting city resources available to the TGNCNB community, poster presentations on TGNCNB health research, and resource-sharing from community-based organizations and city agencies--successfully working to overcome barriers to health care access by fostering meaningful community engagement among TGNCNB community members, community-based organizations, and the Health Department.
“The New York City Health Department’s recognition of LGBTQ+ Pride Month further emphasizes the integral role LGBTQ+ New Yorkers play in our community,” said Dr. Carla Smith, CEO of The Center. “At a time when jurisdictions are bending to political pressure, the NYC Health Department’s continued support and celebration of LGBTQ+ people and organizations like The Center are a constant reminder that our health, safety, and prosperity will always matter.”
Here are some tips to celebrate Pride safely:
Spend time with community and take care of your mental health. Pride is a joyous occasion where members of our LGBTQ+ communities come together. For many, being around others with shared identities can be affirming and mitigate feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, and can help break down identity-based stigma. For free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health, and substance use support, information, and referrals, call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Text and chat support is available in English and Spanish. Other resources include Trans Lifeline, The Trevor Project, NYC Teenspace, and NYC Anti-Violence Project.
Stay home if you are feeling sick. Help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, mpox, and other illnesses by seeking out medical care if you do not feel well. Wearing high-quality masks and frequently washing your hands can also prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria. To find vaccination sites, visit the NYC Health Map.
If you have sex, use safer sex strategies that work for you, such as condoms, PrEP and emergency PEP to prevent HIV, HIV treatment, doxy PEP to prevent certain STIs, regular testing for HIV and STIs, and getting vaccinated for hepatitis A, meningitis and mpox.
Use water-based or silicone lubricant to reduce the risk of skin tears and bleeding or a condom breaking during sex. For more information on sexual and reproductive health and where to access services, visit nyc.gov/sexualhealth.
Discuss your and your partners’ sexual history and ensure consent. Discuss your likes, dislikes, and boundaries to keep sex safer and enjoyable. Sexual consent means that all people involved in a sexual activity clearly and freely agree to participate. A person can change their mind at any time and cannot give consent if they are not awake, aware, or otherwise able to make decisions. Clear verbal communication is best when it comes to consent. Check out our Ask Before You Act videos for a look at consent in action.
Seek out the sexual and reproductive health services you need. The NYC Health Department Sexual Health Clinics offer low- to no-cost services for STIs, including HIV. Anyone who is 12 or older can receive care regardless of immigration status. Parental consent is not needed. Medication abortion services are available at Jamaica, Morrisania, and Central Harlem clinics. For more information on the clinics, including locations, hours of operation, and available services, visit the Sexual Health Clinics page.
The New York City Sexual and Reproductive Health Care Bill of Rights has more information on your rights to sexual and reproductive health care in NYC. Visit the NYC Health Map or call 311 to locate a sexual health service provider near you.
To reach the NYC Abortion Access Hub, which provides confidential support for abortion services and care, call 877-NYC-AHUB (877-692-2482) or visit the live chat.
If you use drugs or alcohol, plan ahead and consider creating a safety plan to protect yourself and your community from overdose and other harms. Be aware that fentanyl, a powerful opioid, is common in drugs sold as heroin and can also be found in cocaine, methamphetamine, and pills from non-medical sources. Xylazine has also been found in the drug supply. To reduce the risk of overdose, test your drugs using fentanyl and xylazine test strips, avoid using alone, and always have naloxone to prevent fentanyl overdose nearby. Please visit the Health Department drug checking and naloxone web pages for more information on where to find these resources.
Stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine can cause a range of adverse effects, which is often known as “overamp." These effects include overheating, seizure, and irregular heartbeats as well as mental symptoms such as paranoia and psychosis. To protect yourself from these effects, stay hydrated and rest.
Avoid mixing different types of drugs, as this can increase your risk of overdose and other adverse effects. All drugs, including alcohol, may have adverse effects or otherwise put you in a vulnerable state. Take care of your mental health and safety when using drugs by trying to stay in a comfortable and safe environment with people you trust. For more information about alcohol, drugs, and health, visit the Alcohol and Drug Use Services page.
Check out Health Department resources for LGBTQ+ communities, including Pride and Care: Health Tips for Transgender, Gender-Nonconforming, and Nonbinary People, which provides information on rights, gender affirming care, routine medical care, sexual health, and mental health, and includes community resources; and web pages on LGBTQ+ health and the health of men who have sex with men, women who have sex with women, transgender people, and intersex people.
To find an LGBTQ-knowledgeable health care provider, visit the NYC Health Map for a list of providers who offer primary care, sexual health care, gender-affirming care, HIV testing and treatment, and other services.
To learn about health care protections for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, check out the LGBTQ Health Care Bill of Rights.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Chantal Gomez
PressOffice@health.nyc.gov