Today New York’s legislature passed GENDA, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, that will ensure New Yorkers are protected from discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The legislature also passed a ban on the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy. Governor Cuomo is expected to sign both making New York the 20th state with explicit laws protecting all LGBTQ people from discrimination and the 15th to ban conversion therapy.

“As a transgender New Yorker, I couldn’t be more proud of my state,” said Mel King, Development and Operations Manager at Equality Federation. “All of us, including transgender people and our families, should be able to get a job, rent an apartment, and be in the world without the fear of discrimination.”

Equality Federation member organizations Equality New York and The LGBT Community Center worked for years in collaboration with transgender and gender nonbinary led organizations and advocates on this victory.

“This hard-fought victory is a result of more than a decade of dedicated activism, bravery and persistence, led by transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary advocates and allies across New York State and beyond. We applaud our legislature’s steadfast leadership and commitment to civil rights as we look forward to continuing our work to build a stronger, more inclusive New York State where all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people are welcomed, affirmed and fully protected,” said Glennda Testone, Executive Director of The LGBT Community Center.