Cardozo Law alumna Taylor Brown ’17 has been appointed the inaugural director of New York City’s newly established Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, created by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Established through an executive order signed on March 13, the office marks the first time the city has created a dedicated mayoral office focused specifically on supporting LGBTQIA+ communities. 

Brown’s appointment is historic: she is the first openly transgender person to lead a New York City office or agency and the highest-ranking transgender person in city government. The Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs will coordinate policies and services across city agencies that serve LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers, working to expand access to healthcare, housing, and employment while strengthening protections and community resources. 

Before her appointment, Brown served as an assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Bureau at the New York State Attorney General’s Office, where she worked on civil rights enforcement and litigation. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and has worked with organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union and Lambda Legal.

In 2023, Brown was honored at Cardozo's 31st Annual Inspire! Awards and was the 2021 recipient of the school's E. Nathaniel Gates Award.

Cardozo is proud to celebrate Brown’s leadership and this milestone in public service for both the city and its LGBTQIA+ community.