Genda Sponsor Squadron: Time Is Now to Bring Bill to Senate Floor for Vote After Assembly Passage for Seventh Time

ALBANY—Today, the New York State Assembly has passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) for the seventh time. Senator Daniel Squadron, lead sponsor of the bill in the Senate, issued the following statement:

“Securing equal rights for transgender New Yorkers has been a long fight, and we have only been gaining momentum. Today, the Assembly has passed this bill for the seventh time, sending yet another message to the Senate leadership that it is time to bring this bill to the floor for a vote.

“Most people are shocked when they learn transgender New Yorkers don’t enjoy the same basic protections that most of us take for granted, including in housing and at their job. A majority of New Yorkers support this legislation. We can no longer allow legal discrimination against fellow New Yorkers for simply being who they are. With only six days left in the legislative session, the time for a vote is now.”

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.