New York Assembly
Passes Gender Identity Protections Bill

The New York State Assembly voted Tuesday 102-33 to amend the state's human rights law to include anti-discrimination protections based upon gender identity and expression. The Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) bans discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment, credit, public accommodations, and other areas of everyday life.

"The Assembly has solidly demonstrated once again that it is the leader on civil rights and providing equality for our community where it didn't exist before in New York," said Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Capelle.

Transgender activist Melissa Sklarz of New York City also thanked the New York State Assembly. "I can think of years of personal struggle in the job market and workplace without any legal protection and am now hopeful that there is a real chance that the next generation of transgender New Yorkers will not face these same difficulties," she said.

The bill will now be sent to the state senate, where the Pride Agenda's legislative scorecard shows GENDA has the support of 27 Senators, including three Republicans. It needs 32 votes to pass. (The Advocate)