“The New York State Assembly has once again stood up for the rights of New Yorkers and passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). If passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor, this bill would extend protections to transgender New Yorkers in the areas of employment, housing, employment, credit and public accommodations.

This legislation is important because the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA), which was passed in 2003, does not specifically protect transgender people from discrimination. And we know that transgender New Yorkers face persistent discrimination in every sphere, resulting in much higher rates of poverty and unemployment.

I thank and congratulate the Assembly for its vote today. This bill that has the overwhelming support of New Yorkers. I have confidence that under the leadership of Senator Tom Duane this bill will pass the Senate and become law.”