“The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution applies equal protection to those the majority deems worthy of equality. Historically, those protections were not extended to members of the LGBTQ+ Community in New York until the 2000s.”
— Matthew S. Mackey, Dismantling Oppression, Changing the Narrative
Historical Discrimination: From the 1700s through 1980, sodomy laws targeted LGBTQ+ people with punishments as severe as death and property seizure. Though overturned, these laws' consequences persist through stigma and documented convictions.
Legal Timeline Highlights:
- 1787–1796: Punishable by death, forfeiture of property
- 1801: Life imprisonment with hard labor
- 1886: Applied to all "voluntary submission to carnal knowledge"
- 1950–1965: Misdemeanors with jail time
- 1980: Declared unconstitutional by NY Court of Appeals
Impact on Youth (The Trevor Project, NAMI):
- 42% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide in the past year
- 40% of transgender youth have attempted suicide (vs. 5% cisgender peers)
- 75% of LGBTQ youth faced discrimination based on identity
- Only 1 in 3 live in affirming households
- COVID-19 worsened stress, housing insecurity, and access to care
- 13% of LGBTQ youth experienced conversion therapy, most before age 18
Why It Matters: Understanding this history highlights the urgency for inclusive legislation, culturally competent services, and policy reform to dismantle generational harm and stigma.
Source: Dismantling Oppression, Changing the Narrative: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender+ Community and the Role of New York State, prepared by Matthew S. Mackey
For more data: Research@TheTrevorProject.org
Back to top