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Struggles of transgender women transcend borders

Undocumented transgender women, minorities within an already marginalized community, face higher risks in the U.S. than other undocumented immigrants, according to the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE). Concrete statistics are hard to come by, but many still take the risk of crossing the border, fleeing from discrimination in their home countries and seeking a better life.

Praying to the beat of Beyoncé

If you love a good church service and also happen to love Beyoncé, then this one’s for you. A traveling worship service that confronts the issues faced by Black women to the beat of Beyoncé hits made its way to New York, where Reverend Yolanda Norton preached about self-worth, love and body image.

The price of getting paid in New York’s cutthroat fashion industry

Making it in New York’s competitive fashion industry isn’t easy. Artists come to the city with hopes of making it big, only to find work is often done without pay.

Masking and micro-rejections: Autistic girls often go undiagnosed

Autism is four times more common in boys than girls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), but that number may not portray the whole truth. Some studies have shown that part of this seeming gender gap results from the fact that autism is often undiagnosed in girls.

Young people preserve 9/11’s deadly memory in New York

Eighteen years after the events of September 11, 2001, the annual commemorations and memorials continue. The horrors of that day are vivid in many people’s minds, but there is now an entire generation with no firsthand memory of the tragedy.

Relief efforts target the Bahamas as residents struggle to recover from Hurricane Dorian

Hurricane Dorian made landfall in the Bahamas on September 1 as a category five storm, the second-strongest ever recorded in the Atlantic. The storm devastated the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. It produced a still-rising death toll of 50, and more than 1,000 people are still unaccounted for on the islands.

School strike for climate went big in NYC

On Friday, September 20, the Global Climate Strike took place in 137 countries and over 5000 locations around the world, making it the largest mobilization for climate change in history, according to 350.org, an international movement to end dependence on fossil fuels.

What does it mean to "look Latino?”

What does it mean to “look Latino?” And who gets to decide? As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, the New York City Commission on Human Rights held a panel discussion yesterday to address the issues of colorism and discrimination within the Latinx community. Featuring Afro-Latinx speakers, the event was moderated by Brea Frank, host of Univision’s “La Gozadera.”

Families gather to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, hosted by the Workmen’s Circle

Home to 1.76 million Jews, New York is the epicenter of Jewish life in the United States. As families around the world gathered earlier this week to celebrate Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year – The Workmen’s Circle, a social justice organization focused on a progressive Jewish identity, held a celebration of a different type.

Project Luz aims to bring NYC’s immigrants to share their culture through the lens

Founded by Argentinian artist Sol Aramendi, Project Luz aims to create a community of immigrants that helps and empowers each other. For the past 15 years, Aramendi has conducted photography workshops in Spanish for Hispanic immigrants in New York City.

Aspiring Latino actors and playwrights find their way outside of the “Miami Bubble”

Miami is one of only a handful of major U.S. cities with a majority-Latino population. It’s 69 percent of the population here, according to U.S. Census. The city also boasts an abundance of Spanish-language content produced by TV stations such as Telemundo and Univision. This is a culturally unique corner of the country, a place many describe as the “Miami bubble.” Latinos who leave the city often discover they are misrepresented or underrepresented in mainstream media.

Brooklyn Children’s Museum celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day

The debate over whether Columbus Day should instead be celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day started decades ago, but has picked up steam in recent years. Approximately six states and more than 120 localities nationwide have made the switch or decided to recognize both holidays. New York City, with its strong Italian heritage, has not yet jumped on board, but this year the Brooklyn Children’s Museum dedicated the day to teaching the traditions of indigenous cultures.

Combatting cancer with comedy

One in eight women in the United States will develop breast cancer, according to the National Breast Cancer Association. Amid the walkathons and informational sessions happening this Breast Cancer Awareness Month are events of a less traditional nature, such as standup comedy shows and other performances.

Gotham Gator Club keeps UF pride alive in NYC

Graduating from college is the end of a cycle for many, but for University of Florida alumni, it means joining a community. The Gotham Gator Club, the New York City and tri-state region chapter of UF’s alumni association, gets together to watch Gators’ football games, give back to the community and reconnect with fellow Gators in the greater New York area.

Controversy over vaping continues as state bans blocked by courts

As the vaping trend continues to grow, so do reports of related illnesses. E-cigarettes were an $11.5 billion industry in 2018, and the sector is projected to become more profitable even as some states move to ban flavors such as mint and mango that critics say target young people and get them hooked on nicotine.

Lack of affordable housing a leading cause of homelessness in New York and Miami

On an abandoned park site in New York City, two homeless men had begun building a home. By the time the city sent a crew to clear out the encampment, flooring and insulation were being installed. The situation reflects the lack of affordable housing, not only in New York but across the United States.

Smashing pumpkins for the environment

Families gathered in New York City to smash pumpkins to make compost for city parks and green spaces. “These pumpkins, if they aren’t composted, can end up in the landfill,” said Lia Lucero, outreach coordinator for the NYC Compost Project. “We’re helping divert waste by hosting a really fun, family-friendly event called pumpkin smash.”

Let’s talk about sex – and money

Amid the ongoing controversy over funding for women’s reproductive services, one New Yorker has decided to take matters into her own hands. Actor and sex educator Ashil Lee, 25, organized Script Tease, a night of short plays focused on sexual education that raised money for Planned Parenthood.

Honoring veterans with employment opportunities

Tired of being rejected by employers claiming to be veteran-friendly, Army veteran Rishi Soneja decided to take matters into his own hands. After earning a degree in nutrition and food studies, he started his own mobile pizza catering business last year and is working on launching Food Hub Market, a platform that connects consumers to local food producers.

Is the fast-fashion industry finally thinking about sustainability?

The environmental impact of the fast-fashion industry is a concern for many consumers. While it is difficult to pinpoint the industry’s level of sustainability, it’s clear that over half of the clothing is discarded within a year of production, creating greenhouse gas emissions and using an outsized proportion of chemical compounds. Many companies are taking notice of consumer awareness and, perhaps, taking advantage of it.