Joe.My.God. LGBT News
One of the biggest annoyances I’ve had as New York-based activist has been reporting year after year after year that a transgender rights bill had been rejected by the state Senate despite eight consecutive years of passage in the state Assembly. After much lobbying, finally Gov. Andrew Cuomo comes to the rescue. The New York Times reports:
Taking action on a political issue that has long been stalled here, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is poised to announce executive action on Thursday intended to protect transgender people from discrimination in housing, employment and other areas. The action is to be announced at a dinner for Empire State Pride Agenda, a prominent gay rights advocacy group. According to a senior member of Mr. Cuomo’s administration who has been briefed on his plans, the governor will direct the State Division of Human Rights to issue regulations that would extend existing protections against discrimination found in a 1945 law so that they cover “gender identity, transgender status and gender dysphoria.” The move by Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, follows years of frustration among those who advocate on behalf of transgender people in Albany, where the State Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats, has repeatedly passed legislation to address such issues, only to find it stymied in the State Senate, where Republicans are in charge.
About a dozen municipalities across the state, including New York City, have long included trans citizens in anti-discrimination protections.
UPDATE: The Empire State Pride Agenda reacts via press release.
“After years of tireless advocacy, we’ve won a tremendous victory for transgender civil rights with Governor Cuomo’s announcement tonight,” said Nathan Schaefer, Executive Director of the Empire State Pride Agenda. Pride Agenda Board Co-Chairs Norman C. Simon and Melissa Sklarz also praised the Governor’s announcement, noting “This victory will only quicken our stride as Pride Agenda keeps moving toward winning full equality and justice for LGBT New Yorkers.” The Governor will instruct state agencies and introduce regulations to prohibit harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender identity, transgender status, and gender dysphoria in the areas of public and private housing, employment, credit, education and public accommodations. These regulations will carry the full force of law as the New York State Division of Human Rights has statutory authority under Executive Law 2995 to promulgate regulations interpreting the Human Rights Law.