NYC Unity Project to Oversee City’s Family Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Youth Initiative
Announcements Builds on Adams Administration’s Numerous Investments in NYC’s LGBTQ+ Community
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Ronald Porcelli, Esq. as the director of the NYC Unity Project. The NYC Unity Project, a unit within the New York City Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice (MOERJ), works across city agencies to uplift, engage, and better serve New York City’s diverse LGBTQ+ community, leading centralized outreach, engagement, and strategic programming. Porcelli previously served as acting director of the NYC Unity Project. Mayor Adams also announced that NYC Unity Project will oversee the city’s Family Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Youth Initiative, a groundbreaking program aimed at fostering acceptance and support for LGBTQ+ youth among parents, caregivers, families, and communities.
“Ronald Porcelli is a true public servant who leads with their lived experience to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers,” said Mayor Adams. “Porcelli worked their way up the NYC Unity Project, starting as a senior advisor to now become its director, growing, and learning at every step of the way. Their ability to turn advocacy into action and passion into policies has helped countless members of the LGBTQ+ community find the services they need. I applaud Ronald for all their service to the city and look forward to the continued work they will do on behalf of all New Yorkers. Finally, with our Family Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Youth Initiative, our city is living up to its reputation as a place that opens its arms to everyone searching for a home, especially for young people.”
“Ronald has been on the frontlines of the fight for equity, ensuring every voice is heard, every person is seen, and every LGBTQ+ individual is welcomed with open arms by city government,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “Now, as the director of the NYC Unity Project, Ronald will continue his unwavering work for providing holistic services to LGBTQ+ New Yorkers in need. This Pride Month, and beyond, our administration will continue to stand on the side of justice and acceptance for all New Yorkers, especially with our LGBTQ+ community.”
“I love the NYC Unity Project. The critical work that we develop not only benefits but transforms the lives of the LGBTQ+ community, providing me with both personal and professional fulfillment,” said NYC Unity Project Director and Senior LGBTQ+ Policy Advisor in the Mayor’s Office Ronald Porcelli. “As a Latinx, nonbinary person who has grappled with much of the pain and challenges facing the community, I uphold this work as deeply sacred. It is truly the honor of a lifetime to be able to serve my community, and I hope to continue expanding the NYC Unity Project’s programming while building additional partnerships across the nonprofit world, private sector, and academia. From senior policy advisor, deputy director, and now director, I am proud of the progress we have made in continuing to advance New York City toward its famed mantle as the home of Stonewall and a mecca in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. As we continue to move from basic equality and rights to advancing equity, uplifting racial equity, and correcting past persecution and disinvestment, I look forward to a future where LGBTQ+ people, particularly youth, do not suffer to be themselves, boldly partake in our shared humanity, and feel supported and uplifted through the changing tides of life.”
“Ronald Porcelli is a dedicated leader who has worked tirelessly to increase opportunities and access for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, especially our youth,” said New York City Chief Equity Officer and MOERJ Commissioner Sideya Sherman. “During their tenure, Ronald has significantly broadened NYC Unity Project's impact — launching new health equity, career exploration, and capacity building programs while cultivating meaningful public, private, and community partnerships. In their new role as director, I am confident Ronald will continue to drive innovation and collaboration across city agencies and partners to deliver the quality programming and services our city's LGBTQ+ community deserves. I look forward to this exciting new chapter for the NYC Unity Project.”
“New York City Department of Youth and Community Development congratulates Ronald Porcelli on being named director of the NYC Unity Project. Ronald has left an indelible mark on our initiatives serving the LGBTQ+ community — including SYEP Pride and Unity Works — while balancing candor, compassion, and unwavering dedication,” said New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Keith Howard. “From Opportunity Starts with a Home to growing our employer partnerships across the private sector, the NYC Unity Project has been instrumental in lifting up the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community. The groundbreaking Family Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Youth Initiative takes that work one step further. DYCD looks forward to our ongoing partnership with Ronald and the NYC Unity Project in supporting Mayor Adams’ steadfast commitment to LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.”
“As the city agency that actively fights anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination in New York City, NYC Unity Project under the dedicated leadership of Ronald Porcelli has been an invaluable partner for our agency,” said New York City Commission on Human Rights Commissioner and Chair (CCHR) Annabel Palma. “CCHR is also proud to celebrate the administration’s announcement of the Family Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Youth Initiative. Fostering channels of dialogue between family members about gender identity and sexuality is critical to making sure LGBTQ+ youth thrive in our city. We look forward to continuing the work of centering and uplifting LGBTQ+ voices and experiences alongside the NYC Unity Project and the Family Acceptance LGBTQ+ Youth Initiative.”
"Ronald Porcelli is a committed public servant and a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ+ community," said Mayor’s Office Community Affairs Unit (CAU) Commissioner Fred Kreizman. “Their appointment as director of the NYC Unity Project is well deserved. CAU looks forward to working together to engage the LGBTQ+ community and connect New Yorkers to important city resources.”
“Good health starts with a loving, accepting family and we will do whatever we can to make sure LGBTQ+ youth are supported,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “When the NYC Unity Project succeeds, our city is healthier. We are so grateful to the NYC Unity Project for their leadership and commitment to promoting equity and health in New York City.”
“Ronald Porcelli’s appointment as director of the NYC Unity Project reflects an unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and their journey from advocacy to leadership exemplify the spirit of service and inclusivity that is at the heart of our city’s values.” says New York City Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health Executive Director Eva Wong. "NYC Unity Project is a beacon of hope and support, ensuring that individuals with diverse background or identities can have access to the resources and care they need.”
Developed in partnership with the NYC Unity Project, MOERJ, and DOHMH and implemented by Church Avenue Merchant Block Association (CAMBA), the Family Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Youth Initiative underscores the city’s commitment to promoting the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth through critical upstream interventions. Research shows the detrimental effects of family rejection on LGBTQ+ youth, including increased mental health issues, substance use, sexual risk behaviors, and risk of homelessness. Family acceptance of LGBTQ+ youth is linked with higher self-esteem, reduced depression, healthier decision-making, and greater overall well-being throughout life. The Family Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Youth Initiative seeks to address these challenges by fostering supportive environments across parents, caregivers, families, educators, and community members, providing them with the tools and resources to support LGBTQ+ youth effectively. The program promotes the acceptance of LGBTQ+ youth through educational sessions, counseling support groups, role model stories, marketing campaigns, and short films highlighting narratives in support of LGBTQ+ youth.
Services are open to all New Yorkers, free of charge and available in English and Spanish. For more information or to sign up for services, submit an interest form. To locate other services for LGBTQ+ youth, visit the newly relaunched NYC Unity Project. To locate LGBTQ+ health services, visit the NYC Health Map.
The Adams administration has made continued investments and policy reforms to support the LGBTQ+ community. Together with the NYC Unity Project and DYCD, Mayor Adams announced an investment of nearly $6.7 million to provide new and expanded services for the LGBTQ+ community. These new services provide wide-ranging support that include first-of-its-kind funding for capacity building of transgender and gender non-conforming /non-binary (TGNCNB)-led nonprofits, legal services, and support for homeless youth.
In another effort to support the LGBTQ+ community, Mayor Adams signed Executive Order 32 to protect access to gender-affirming health care in New York City. The executive order prevents the use of city resources to detain any individual who is providing or receiving gender-affirming health care services in New York City. Additionally, the executive order denies the use of resources by the City of New York to cooperate with any prosecution or investigation by another state of an individual for providing or receiving gender-affirming care.
Mayor Adams also successfully advocated for and helped get the first-ever St. Patrick’s Day parade on Staten Island to allow an LGBTQ+ delegation to participate, ending a multi-year dispute in the borough.
Finally, with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Community Affairs Bureau, the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, and CAU, the administration announced a new process for New Yorkers to contact the NYPD to re-examine cases involving LGBTQ+ victims, including cold cases.
About Ronald Porcelli (Pronouns: They/Them)
Ronald Porcelli has served as senior policy advisor, deputy director, and, since December 2021, the acting director of the NYC Unity Project. Under their leadership, NYC Unity Project has expanded services across all five boroughs in the areas of economic and community development, health equity, and acceptance and antidiscrimination with a focus on advancing equity for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, LGBTQ+ people of color, and the TGNCNB community.
Before joining city government, Porcelli served as a practicing attorney, representing clients in human rights litigation and advocacy.
Porcelli earned a juris doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law and is a member of the Florida and New York Bar.
Porcelli will report to Chief Equity Officer and MOERJ Commissioner Sherman.
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