All 18 eligible facilities within the NYC Health + Hospitals system have been named 2026 LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leaders by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. According to the organization, each site achieved a perfect score of 100 on the 2026 Healthcare Equality Index for their adherence to inclusive care standards, maintaining a streak of recognition that began in 2015.
Which facilities received the designation?
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognized all 11 hospitals and seven Gotham Health primary care sites across New York City. The awarded locations include:
- Bronx: Gotham Health Belvis, Gotham Health Morrisania, Jacobi, Lincoln, and North Central Bronx.
- Brooklyn: Gotham Health East New York, Gotham Health Cumberland, Kings County, South Brooklyn Health, and Woodhull.
- Manhattan: Bellevue, Gotham Health Gouverneur, Gotham Health Sydenham, Harlem, and Metropolitan.
- Queens: Elmhurst and Queens.
- Staten Island: Gotham Health Vanderbilt.
Why this recognition matters
The designation serves as a benchmark for how healthcare providers implement non-discrimination policies, staff training, and patient support services. James Derham, Director for LGBTQ+ Equity at NYC Health + Hospitals, stated that the recognition reflects the system’s commitment to providing safe and affirming care to the city’s LGBTQ+ population. Nationally, the 2026 Healthcare Equality Index shows that 44% of the nearly 750 participating facilities earned the “Leader” designation, while 46% reached “High Performer” status. According to Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson, the index acts as a critical resource for patients to identify accessible care options during a time of what she described as “dangerous setbacks” and political pressure regarding LGBTQ+ health.
What could happen next
As the Human Rights Campaign Foundation continues its biennial benchmarking, participating facilities may face ongoing challenges in maintaining these standards. Given that 49 new institutions joined the index this year and 53 facilities improved their previous scores, the industry may see increased competition for these designations in future reporting cycles. If political and social pressures continue to impact healthcare delivery, as noted by Robinson, institutions may need to further refine their community engagement and employee training programs to retain their “Leader” status in subsequent evaluations.
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