| 2004 NYS Legislative Agenda
Health, Equality, Pride.
Priority: To ensure the civil rights of
all people living with AIDS or HIV infection
 GMHC
has long supported, in both public policy and in our service delivery,
the rights of all persons in familial relationships, traditional
or otherwise, to obtain equitable treatment and respect. We will
continue to work for the introduction and passage of domestic partnership
legislation, and legislation that ensures the civil rights
of people living with AIDS and HIV infection and their families
and caregivers.
GMHC will continue to strongly advocate for passage of
Disposition of Remains legislation, allowing terminally
ill persons to plan ahead with their loved ones. This legislation
would fill a critical gap in current law. GMHC
has been intimately involved in this effort for many years, as our
clients have a strong need for it. Passage this year is
a top priority.
New York has recognized that policies protecting people
with HIV/AIDS from discrimination, ensuring confidentiality
of HIV medical information, and protecting informed consent
are consistent with good public health policy. Accordingly, we will
continue to aggressively oppose all legislation that endangers
the civil rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, mandates HIV testing,
or criminalizes HIV.
GMHC supports legislation that would provide equal benefits
and protections to same sex couples, including the right to marry.
GMHC will continue to support passage of GENDA, the Gender
Expression Non-Discrimination Act, legislation that would
add the terms "gender identity or expression" throughout New York
State's anti-discrimination and hate crimes laws.
GMHC will continue working in coalition for the passage of the
Dignity for All Students Act which would provide
for students to be free from harassment or discrimination in school
based on real or perceived notions of race, color, national origin,
ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.
GMHC will also continue to support legislation reforming the Rockefeller
Drug Laws and will continue to monitor Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) changes, especially
as they relate to women and HIV.
GMHC will continue to oppose marriage promotion initiatives
through TANF in New York State, which are inherently discriminatory,
do nothing to help to prevent HIV, and may well increase women's
vulnerability to HIV transmission.
GMHC will continue to urge the state to respect the diversity
of all families in New York, and ensure that everyone
has access to the same benefits. Welfare reform and funding
initiatives should be focused on policies that promote economic
stability by addressing the root causes of poverty.
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© 2004 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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