No Hope

That is what I think the chances of passing GENDA (Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act) in New York unless the governor is willing to trade a bill with the Republicans.

Transgender-led organization takes the lead at State of the State address (a guest post by Juli Grey-Owens)
Times Union
By Byrgen Finkelman
Posted on December 29, 2014

After 12+ years of advocacy work, it has become crystal clear that waiting, hoping, and praying that somehow, some day, the NY legislature will magically pass a law to protect transgender individuals from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations won’t work.

It’s also beyond dispute that collecting post cards, letter writing, phone banks, and standing outside the capital waving placards when no legislators are in doesn’t work – hasn’t worked for the past twelve years – and won’t work in 2015.

And we at the Long Island Transgender Advocacy Coalition (LITAC) are tired of doing what doesn’t work!

It’s time for New York Transgender (and gender non-conforming) individuals who want our Civil Rights to earn them.

We must take action, be visible, and bring pressure on our state elected government.

I don’t think being visible is going to do it, it going to take good old fashion horse trading. The Democrats control the Assembly and the governorship but the Republicans have control of the Senate.

Will he [the governor] want to spend enough political capital to push GENDA as 2016 presidential possibilities begin to form?

And that is the key, the Democrats will have to give something up and right now I don’t think they will over GENDA, the bill is probably way down on their list. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think so.