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). GENDA protects the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming New Yorkers and makes gender identity and expression one of the 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 (A.747).

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, we will make history and make GENDA law.

This is a fight the Assembly Majority has never taken lightly. 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.