Senator Carlucci & Senate Majority Pass GENDA & Ban Conversion Therapy

(Albany, NY) The Senate Majority has passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) (S.1047) that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression and adds transgender New Yorkers to those protected by the state’s Hate Crimes Law. The Senate also passed legislation (S.1046) prohibiting mental health professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with a patient under the age of eighteen years. Both bills were introduced by New York State Senator Brad Hoylman and supported by Senator David Carlucci and the Senate Majority.

Senator Carlucci said, "Hate crimes are on the rise against our LGBTQ+ community, and more and more members are taking their own lives due to discrimination.  We have a responsibility to protect transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers. Everyone deserves to feel safe, and the passage of GENDA and banning conversion therapy ensures significant LGBTQ+ rights are protected."   

New York has been the only state in the Northeast without statutory protections for its transgender citizens. A 2016 National Transgender Discrimination Survey showed that 26% of transgender individuals lost a job due to bias, 50% were harassed on the job, 20% were evicted or denied housing, and 78% of transgender students were harassed or assaulted.

The legislation to ban conversion therapy on minors also provides that any sexual orientation change efforts attempted on a patient under 18 years of age by a licensed mental health professional shall be considered unprofessional conduct and shall subject the provider to discipline by the provider's licensing entity.