Right now there are sixteen states (and the District of Columbia) that have protection for gender identity and expression, will this be the year that New York finally passes their law to protect gender identity and expression?
In 2003, the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) went into law, which made it illegal for anyone to be discriminated against in employment, housing, credit, education and public accommodations because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. Gender identity and expression was originally in the bill, but in backroom negotiation it was thrown out and the bill became a purely sexual orientation bill. The trans-community was told, don’t worry we will come back for you. Sound familiar? Some nine years later there is still no protection for trans-people and even if this bill passes it will provide fraction of the protection that SONDA provides. Without public accommodation trans-people cannot go out in public without the possibility being discriminated against. They can be thrown out of restaurants or walk in the park without the fear denied entrance.
NY Considers Transgender Discrimination BillThe bill is called GENDA or Gender Employment Non-Discrimination Act and it covers employment and housing. That’s it, employment and housing, no public accommodation and no credit protection. This will be the fifth time the bill has been introduced. In April of 2008, a big rally for GENDA legislation was scheduled; however, a few days before the rally Governor Paterson said that he supported marriage equality and GENDA got pushed aside in favor of marriage legislation, It was just like what happened here in Connecticut in 2009 when we were promised that our bill would have top priority only to be shoved aside for the marriage bill.
Reuters
By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. at FindLaw.com
Tue May 15, 2012
New York legislators recently debated a bill that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. The NY transgender bill would amend all of the state's anti-discrimination laws, including those that cover employment and housing.
The State Assembly passed the legislation with overwhelming support, but it is currently sitting in the Senate Rules Committee. Supporters are trying to mobilize a floor vote before the end of the current legislative session.
In 2003, the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) went into law, which made it illegal for anyone to be discriminated against in employment, housing, credit, education and public accommodations because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. Gender identity and expression was originally in the bill, but in backroom negotiation it was thrown out and the bill became a purely sexual orientation bill. The trans-community was told, don’t worry we will come back for you. Sound familiar? Some nine years later there is still no protection for trans-people and even if this bill passes it will provide fraction of the protection that SONDA provides. Without public accommodation trans-people cannot go out in public without the possibility being discriminated against. They can be thrown out of restaurants or walk in the park without the fear denied entrance.
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