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2005 NYS Legislative Agenda
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 the
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. We will advocate for passage this year as 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 to support passage of legislation that would
allow patients suffering from serious illnesses to have legal access
to marijuana under medical supervision.
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.
While modest changes to New York’s drug laws were passed last
year, GMHC will continue to support legislation repealing 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.
GMHC will continue to support affordable housing programs, especially
HIV/AIDS related housing; and to support the expansion of senior rent
increase protections in regulated housing to non-elderly persons with
disabilities.
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© 2005 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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