TLDEF Applauds Passing of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds the New York State Legislature’s historic passage today of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act or GENDA, and its vote to ban conversion therapy on minors.

GENDA, which has stalled in the New York Senate for more than a decade, formally adds «gender identity and expression» to to the text of the existing Human Rights Law, and also expands New York’s hate crimes law to bring transgender people within its scope. Conversion therapy is a sham practice, debunked and condemned by the American Psychiatric Association and many other mainstream medical associations, that purports to change an individual’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

Statement from TLDEF Executive Director Andy Marra 

«Today marks a long overdue turning point in New York history. After years of reprehensible inaction, New York lawmakers have made the protection of transgender people a priority in this state. Today is new day. The rights of transgender and non-binary New Yorkers will finally be enshrined in law. New York now mandates that we cannot be fired from our jobs, thrown out of our homes and denied basic public services, simply because of who we are. And we will finally be protected under New York’s hate crimes law. It’s about time. We join advocates across the Empire State in celebrating this long awaited victory and applaud those who have worked so tirelessly to make it a reality, even after years of setback».

«We also commend passage of legislation that bans so-called trans and gay conversion therapy on minors. No young person should ever be forced into a program that attempts to change who they are. Such practices are extremely dangerous and harmful to LGBTQ youth. Thankfully they will now be illegal in New York».