Genda Sponsor Squadron Urges Senate Action on Transgender Equality Bill as Assembly Passes for Sixth Time

ALBANY -- State Senator Daniel Squadron, the Senate sponsor of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), released the following statement after the Assembly passed the legislation for the sixth time, with hundreds of activists in the Capitol lobbying for the bill as part of Equality & Justice Day:

"Today the Assembly passed GENDA for the sixth time. Yet Senate Republicans continue to block a vote on this critical bill.

"Make no mistake: it's simply unacceptable that New Yorkers can lose their job or be evicted from their home because of their gender identity or expression. Countless other states, and localities around our own state, have acted. But New York remains behind the curve. 

"It's time for the Senate to finally pass GENDA, and for New York to stand up for what's right and ensure that all people -- no matter how they identify -- are treated with the fairness and dignity they deserve. 

"Thank you to Assemblyman Gottfried, the tireless activists in Albany today for Equality & Justice Day, and all those fighting for equality for all New Yorkers."

GENDA (S195/Squadron - A4226/Gottfried) would prohibit discrimination against transgender New Yorkers when it comes to housing, employment, credit, and public accommodations, while expanding New York's hate crimes law to include crimes against transgender individuals. 

Last fall, Squadron and Gottfried hosting a public forum on GENDA, at which local law enforcement, women's groups, transgender individuals and their families, and other advocates testified in support of the bill. Video, written testimony, and other resources from the forum are available here.

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