Senator Pete Harckham on the Passage of GENDA and the Banning of Conversion Therapy

“Every citizen in New York State deserves to be treated fairly, equally and with dignity,” said Senator Pete Harckham (SD40). “I’m happy that the NYS Senate and Assembly are extending the same protections from hate crimes and discrimination that we have extended to other groups, to our transgender and gender non-conforming communities.”

“Forcing youth into conversion therapy is one of those shameful practices that couldn’t be banned fast enough,” said Senator Pete Harckham (SD40). “I’m glad that our LGBTQ youth will now be protected from this so-called therapy that has damaged so many lives. It is important to note that this legislation does not infringe upon the clergy's right to counsel individuals.”

BACKGROUND

The Senate Majority Conference today 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 have been blocked by the previous Republican Majority. 

New York State Senate District 40 includes parts of Northern Westchester (Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Peekskill, Pleasantville, Pound Ridge, Sleepy Hollow, Somers, Yorktown) Putnam (Brewster, Carmel, Patterson, Southeast) and Dutchess (Beekman, Pawling).