Today, the New York City Council passed a resolution from New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, the first elected official in the United States known to have Tourette Syndrome, to formally recognize Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month in New York City from May 15 - June 15. Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements and vocalizations known as tics. Tics can be short, simple actions or complex patterns of movement, such as eye blinking or other eye movements, grimacing, head or shoulder jerking, touching an object, jumping, bending, or twisting, or vocal sounds, such as repetitive throat clearing, sniffing, barking, grunting, repeating words or phrases, or using vulgar or offensive words or phrases. The Public Advocate, who was diagnosed as a teenager, is part of the roughly 20% of people with Tourette’s who show coprolalia – the involuntary outburst of obscenities. As the resolution reads, public misunderstanding of Tourette Syndrome and involuntary tics can lead to real-world discrimination. Increased public awareness of Tourette Syndrome supports safer and more inclusive school, workplace, and community environments by promoting accurate information about tics, reducing stigma, and encouraging timely access to appropriate supports and service.” “I want people to know more about this condition,” said the Public Advocate in passing the resolution. “I want people with Tourette’s to be able to feel comfortable in public spaces, and I want society to understand. I want kids who are being punished, mocked, or excluded because of their condition to be met with empathy” The condition was recently elevated – and widely misunderstood – in the wake of the 2026 BAFTA Awards, when the BBC broadcast of the taped ceremony included John Davidson, a Tourette Syndrome advocate and subject of the film ‘I Swear’ yelling the N-Word as ‘Sinners’ actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo are presenting an award. The incident has sparked discussion about the harm of the racial slur, the realities of Tourette Syndrome. The Public Advocate spoke extensively to his own experience after the incident, publishing a video testimonial and an op-ed where he said “My experience is my own, but I hope it helps others. I want people to know more about this condition, I want people with Tourette’s to be able to feel comfortable in public spaces, and I want society to understand…I hope that we can replace toxicity in that conversation with empathy. Because if there’s one thing Tourette’s has done for me, it’s ensured that I’m always moving – and the cultural conversation can too." The Public Advocate's full remarks are available here.