GMHC Dismayed by Second Pro-Discrimination Vote in Less than a Year

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Krishna Stone | 212.367.1016

New York, NY — Less than a year after the New York State Senate failed to get enough votes to pass marriage equality for same-sex couples, Senate Republicans, joined by Democratic Senator Ruben Diaz, voted en bloc against the Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act, S.2406, in Judiciary Committee today. The legislation would have added the term "gender identity or expression" throughout New York State's anti-discrimination and hate crimes laws. The final vote was 11 to 12 with Senator Andrew Lanza (R) changing his vote after initially voting yes. The sudden flip helped lead to the bill's defeat.   

"GMHC is deeply disappointed by this missed opportunity to expressly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression," said Marjorie Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of Gay Men's Health Crisis. "This bill would have extended New York's long standing commitment to respect, dignity and equality to transgender people."

Throughout the past 28 years, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) has come to understand the myriad ways in which discrimination impedes New York's fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression hinders efforts to provide meaningful HIV education, contributes to the stigma that surrounds HIV itself, and can discourage many people at risk for HIV from seeking voluntary testing, risk reduction counseling and other medical care. Further, transgender individuals often face additional discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, and many other areas of daily life. 

Thirteen states and more than 50 cities and counties in the U.S., including New York City, Buffalo, Rochester, Erie and Suffolk counties, have passed transgender-inclusive civil rights legislation.  At least a third of the U.S. population lives in these states and municipalities.  "In this sense, New York is behind in its commitment to fairness," added Hill.

GMHC thanks Senator Tom Duane for continuing to fight for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in New York.

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GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS.  We provide prevention and care services to men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City.  We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.