The U.S. Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act with bi-partisan support. This historic bill outlaws workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Even in Washington, legislators agree that this kind of discrimination has no place in society.
New York has long been a leader on LGBT civil rights. But while New Yorkers are protected against discrimination based on sexual orientation, State law does not cover gender identity. As a result, transgender New Yorkers are left out of these protections.
The Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), which I sponsor in the Assembly (A.4226-A), with Sen. Daniel Squadron in the Senate (S.195-A), would add “gender identity or expression” to New York’s human rights laws to protect transgender New Yorkers. GENDA has passed the Assembly six consecutive years, but it remains held up in the State Senate. It is time for the State Senate to act and guarantee equal protection under the law for all New Yorkers.
