Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Gender Expression Nondiscrimination Act (GENDA) into law today, ensuring the basic rights of transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary New Yorkers will be protected under state law. GENDA prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in employment, housing, and public spaces, and updates New York’s hate crimes legislation. Sam Brinton, Head of Advocacy and Government Affairs for The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people, commented on the groundbreaking bill:
“Legal protection from violence and discrimination is part of building an inclusive society where everybody can thrive, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Brinton. “The passage of GENDA into law is a tangible sign of hope for the youth who contact The Trevor Project’s crisis intervention services every day. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo for his leadership in signing this important legislation.”
