Nondiscrimination
bill pitched to New York legislature

Two New York State legislators have reintroduced the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, which would ban discrimination across the state on the the basis of gender identity and expression.

Assemblymember Richard Gottfried and state senator Tom Duane, both Manhattan Democrats, reintroduced the bill after attempts in 2003 and 2006. The Empire State Pride Agenda has been working closely with Gottfried and Duane for several months.

Both chambers will assign bill numbers to the legislation this week.

"Transgender New Yorkers are routinely subjected to discrimination in their attempts to get and keep their jobs, rent an apartment, or generally go about the business of living their lives openly and without fear," said Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Capelle in a statement. "Legal protections based upon gender identity and expression are a basic civil right."

Several counties and cities within the state have similar protections in place including Buffalo, Albany, New York City, and Rochester. According to the statement, 86 New York-based Fortune 500 companies have nondiscrimination policies, including American Express, Kodak, and IBM. (The Advocate)