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Advocating For The Brooklyn Community
Crystal Hudson made history as the first out, gay, Black woman ever elected to the New York City Council in 2021. She represents District 35, which includes the neighborhoods of Prospect Heights, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and parts of Crown Heights. Crystal is a community organizer and public servant committed to advancing change for the communities she represents.
Crystal’s commitment to public service is personal and began in 2013 when her mother started exhibiting signs of what would later be diagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease. As the only child of a single mother, she quickly became the primary caregiver for her mother and experienced first-hand how difficult it is for working families to navigate complex systems and access services and resources needed to keep older New Yorkers safe and healthy at home.
Crystal continues to be a valued partner and friend to us and was honored on the runway at the 2023 DapperQ fashion show, donning the statement, "Our Existence is Resistance".
IF YOU ARE RE-ELECTED, HOW DO YOU THINK THAT WILL IMPACT THE QUEER COMMUNITY IN BROOKLYN AND WHAT ISSUES WOULD YOU WANT TO FIGHT FOR THE MOST?
All issues are queer issues. As the first out gay Black woman elected to office in New York City, it is a priority for me to ensure that the City Council takes a holistic approach to the legislative solutions we can offer. That means centering the experiences of those living on the margins of our city—especially our Black and brown LGBTQIA+ neighbors and our poor and working class neighbors. The result is producing legislation that is comprehensive and a driving force toward achieving true equity. For example, when we examine the particular housing needs of Black trans women and LGBTQ youth; or how queer folks define public safety; or how we can improve healthcare for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers, the solutions we come up with bring our entire city closer to achieving a version of itself that is just, equitable, and dignified for all people. And in my first term, I was proud to lead in the creation of ‘The Marsha & Sylvia Plan,’ the city’s first-ever comprehensive legislative agenda specially tailored to address the material needs of LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers. This is a Council with immense potential. We are led by the first Black woman Speaker. We are majority women and majority people of color. The LGBTQIA+ Caucus is the biggest it’s been. This is a body that is becoming truly representative of New York City. We have the chance to continue to buck the status quo, and I’m proud to say that we’ve done that, passing vital legislation at a critical juncture in New York City history. I’m proud to play a small role in this and look forward to continuing this work.
The Kirrin Finch office is at the Brooklyn Navy Yard ( in the district where Crystal is running for re-election).
WHEN WE LAST SPOKE, YOU WERE THE FIRST BLACK QUEER WOMAN TO RUN FOR NYC COUNCIL! WHAT WAS THE IMPACT FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR COMMUNITY WHEN YOU WON YOUR FIRST ELECTION?
In her book “Lead From the Outside,” Stacey Abrams, who I deeply admire (and is also my Spelman sister), talks about the particular pressures she felt having spent her whole life being “first, only and different” in so many spaces that she was in. She speaks with such conviction about the great responsibility and tremendous pressure that she has felt throughout her life to convince folks that she deserved a seat at every table, but also how she was committed to bringing folks along her journey. It’s my hope that my being here––serving all New Yorkers in the City Council––has opened a door for some of tomorrow’s leaders. But I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention that I think this Council derives its power from our shared experiences. We are a Council of firsts in a lot of ways. We are led by the first Black woman Speaker. We are the first majority women Council. We are the most diverse Council in the governing body’s history. We are charting a path toward true representation, and I feel fortunate to be part of such a historic moment in New York City government.
YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CANDIDACY AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TOPICS PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE WORDS TO DISCUSS. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THIS STATEMENT?
As an out, gay, masculine of center, Black woman––in a very public role running for office––my identity and gender presentation open the door for interesting conversations with all different types of people. Some people don’t feel comfortable using the words “gay” and/or “queer”, and certainly most folks don’t even have the language to talk about identity and gender presentation. I’m grateful to be able to serve as an entry point, to help folks talk about the fact that I’m gay, and most importantly, meet folks where they are.
As Audre Lorde said, “I am deliberate and afraid of nothing.” That is my mantra in fashion, and in politics.
YOU STATED, YOUR WARDROBE ENDS UP BEING THE TOPIC OF A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS YOU HAVE AS YOU CONNECT WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS THE CASE?
We already know that female bodies everywhere are scrutinized. As was the case in particular for Hillary Clinton as she ran for President, her wardrobe was critiqued time and time again. In my case, I find that folks often compliment my style or clothing as a way of acknowledging that I dress differently from most women—specifically, women in politics. It is also not lost on me that as a masculine presenting woman, I tend to receive compliments as opposed to critiques. If I was femme presenting, I’m sure that wouldn’t be the case, and so I’m acutely aware of the privilege I hold. I’ll also add that a small compliment on my outfit can often serve as an entry point to a larger conversation about feeling truly comfortable in the skin you’re in.
WHEN YOU ARE ELECTED, HOW DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD IMPACT THE QUEER COMMUNITY IN BROOKLYN AND WHAT ISSUES WOULD YOU WANT TO FIGHT FOR THE MOST?
All issues are queer issues. If elected as the first gay Black woman in New York City, it would be a priority for me to make sure that the City Council analyzes and addresses issues through a gender, racial, and queer lens. While I believe that symbolism has its limits, representation is important and it makes a difference when you have people from affected communities at the table, leading the conversation. We have to look at the particular housing needs of Black trans women and LGBTQ youth; how queer folks define and provide safety; and what affordable, accessible, and competent healthcare means for all members of the LGBTQ community. Policies and programming that do not account for the lived reality of those with the greatest needs is no longer acceptable, and I’m here to ensure that the queer community—both here in Brooklyn and across the rest of the city—knows this city is ours too, and it’s past time that we are centered, prioritized, and always have a seat at the table.
LET'S TALK ABOUT BEING MISGENDERED. HOW DOES THAT IMPACT YOU PERSONALLY AND AS A LEADER OF OUR COMMUNITY?
I am misgendered quite often—most people usually think I’m a young boy. I laugh it off, and do my best to politely correct folks without embarrassing them for making an honest mistake. As a leader in our community, being misgendered and being perceived as much younger than I am means that I’m working twice as hard to be taken half as seriously. I take every day in stride, and gain strength from each encounter, knowing that my mere presence provides a learning opportunity for us all (myself included).
HOW HAS YOUR SELF-EXPRESSION CHANGED OVER THE YEARS, SPECIFICALLY IN FASHION AND NOW POLITICS.
During college, I got to really explore who I was, how I presented myself to the world, and in turn, how I was perceived by others. My self-expression changed through the years, and ultimately I realized that I didn’t have to look or dress the way others wanted or expected me to. That was a really empowering revelation for me.
Ever since then, I’ve felt comfortable and confident in my body and the way I choose to express who I am through fashion and clothing. As my mother’s daughter, I have always taken pride in how I present myself to the world. I’ve always preferred to be dressed up, rather than not. And once I found the brands that best suited me and my style—including so many queer brands from literally everything like underwear and swimwear to casual clothes and formal suiting—there’s no way I could ever be forced to show up in the world as anything other than my full and authentic self. I can be deliberate in choosing what to wear every day, and know that my clothing is a reflection of my confidence in who I am.
HOW TO CONNECT WITH CRYSTAL
Instagram: @chudchud
Website: www.crystalforbk.com
