Two historic pieces of inclusive legislation have been passed in New York, giving members of the local LGBTIQ+ community reason to celebrate.
The first bill passed by State lawmakers in Albany earlier this week, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), protects trans residents from discrimination, while the second will ban gay conversion therapy for young people - making New York the fifteenth state to do so.
Glennda Testone, executive director of in New York City, celebrated the milestone moment, thanking the trans and gender non-conforming community for “more than a decade of dedicated activism, bravery, and persistence” in making GENDA a reality.
“By adding gender identity and expression as a protected class under the Human Rights Law, GENDA provides [trans and gender non-conforming] people with protection against harassment and discrimination in employment, housing, and public spaces like restaurants and shops," she said.
GLAAD's Zeke Stokes also celebrated the news, adding: “New York can be a model for the nation when it comes to standing up for transgender and non-binary people, who deserve to be treated fairly and equally under the law.”
New York will host the World Pride festival in July of this year.
