New York Assembly passes transgender rights bill

The New York State Assembly passed a bill earlier today that would ban discrimination based on gender identity and expression.

First introduced in 2003, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act would prohibit discrimination against transgender New Yorkers in public accommodations, employment, housing and other areas. GENDA passed the Assembly last June by a vote of 108 to 34, but Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Capelle was quick to praise today's vote.

"Transgender New Yorkers shouldn’t have to live in fear that they will lose their job, get kicked out of their apartment or be denied service in a restaurant just because of who they are," he said. "The Assembly continues to demonstrate its recognition of these important protections and its place as a leader on civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Yorkers and their families."

New York is among the growing number of states in which lawmakers continue to debate trans-specific legislation. The New Hampshire House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill earlier this month that would add gender identity and expression to the state's non-discrimination statutes. And Massachusetts and Rhode Island legislators have also debated similar bills in recent weeks.

GENDA now goes before the Democrat-controlled state Senate. Governor David Paterson has said he would sign the bill into law.