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Know Your Rights
Source: NY1
Subject: Immigration
Type: Media Coverage

Video: Advocates Rally For State Law To Grant Equal Rights To Transgender NYers

LGBT advocates are renewing their push for a state law to grant equal rights to transgender New Yorkers.

A coalition of activists [including Make the Road New York] and Council Speaker Christine Quinn rallied Wednesday in support of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, known as GENDA.

The bill would ban discrimination against transgender people in housing, employment and public assistance programs.

It would also expand New York’s hate crimes law to include crimes against transgender individuals.

“In light of the rash of all the anti-gay incidents that have happened, including the murder of a young man just this weekend, now is the time to pass GENDA,” said City Councilwoman Rosie Mendez of Queens. “We are long overdue.”

“GENDA not being part of our state law is sending a message that transgender citizens of this state are second class, and we need to put an end to it,” Quinn said.

The legislation has passed the state Assembly six times, but has stalled in the state Senate each time.

To see the video, click here.