Member of New York State Assembly Alicia Hyndman (D-Queens) helped pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) as part of the Assembly’s continued efforts to protect transgender rights in New York (A.747).

“Discrimination, hate and bigotry are cruel and ugly, and unfortunately, they’re a part of daily life for many transgender individuals. That’s why the Assembly has once again passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA),” said Assemblywoman Hyndman. She further stated that GENDA protects the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers while affording them the right to be one of New York State’s protected classes so that no one can be denied essentials like housing, health care, education and employment solely because of who they are. GENDA also includes criminal offenses related to gender identity or expression under the hate crimes statute.

“For over a decade, the Assembly has passed GENDA only to see the measure ignored in the Senate. But now that has all changed. With new Senate leadership that stands with the Assembly and shares the belief that all New Yorkers deserve to be treated with equality, respect, dignity and compassion, the measure has passed the Senate and now awaiting the governor’s signature. As a state, we will make history and make GENDA law,” said Assemblywoman Hyndman.

Assemblywoman Hyndman noted this is a fight the Assembly Majority has never taken lightly. She further states, “With a federal administration driven by fear and intolerance and bent on rolling back rights, it’s up to us to spread love, not hate, and protect one another. For the transgender and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers who have unfairly been seen as unequal in the eyes of the law for far too long, this is your victory.”

With the passage of GENDA almost across the finish line, Assemblywoman Hyndman is calling on her colleagues in both the Assembly and the Senate to pass the Reproductive Health Act (A.21). This measure updates New York's abortion statutes to address constitutional flaws in our laws and recognize a woman's fundamental right to access safe, legal abortion.