NY Gov. Paterson Signs Order Protecting Trans State Employees

New York Gov. David A. Paterson made a surprise appearance at the New York City LGBT Community Center to sign Executive Order No. 33, which prohibits New York State agencies from "discriminating against any individual on the basis of gender identity and expression." Described as the "broadest inclusion yet of transgender people in state policy" by the New York Times, the order is still limited as it only applies to state agencies and employees.

Though state antidiscrimination law includes gay men and lesbians, it is silent on the issue of transgender people. And while Mr. Paterson’s order will not have the sweep of a statute enacted by the State Legislature because it will apply only to state agencies, gay and transgender rights advocates said it would be a first step toward including gender identity and expression protections in state law. Advocates for transgender people have succeeded in winning broad antidiscrimination protections in a number of cities throughout the state, including New York, Buffalo, Albany and Rochester. But efforts to add similar protections to state law have so far fallen short. The Assembly has passed a transgender antidiscrimination bill, but the Senate has refused to vote on the issue.

The bill in question is known as the Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act (GENDA) and would ban discrimination in housing, employment, and credit for all transgender New Yorkers. The governor says its time for the Senate to pass GENDA: "As much as I am delighted to sign this executive order I am aware that my action is incomplete. I still demand that the New York senate take up a gender equality bill and pass it immediately."

Only two weeks ago, the State Senate defeated a bill that would have allowed same-sex couples to wed in New York. The 38-to-24 vote was a harsh rebuke to gay rights advocates.

Twelve states and the District of Columbia have broad laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender expression and/or identity, according to gay and transgender rights groups. More than 100 cities and counties across the country also provide similar legal protections.

Comments

[Xavier Deron]

very good news to report.
paterson is a class act to the LGBT community.

[polerin]

Governor Patterson, I thank you. from the depths of my heart I thank you.

[Jim]

The truly pathetic thing about Governor Paterson is that he is more concerned about helping the people of his state that he is about getting re-elected.

I mean, what sorry excuse for a politician is that?

[Diva1961]

Hahaha!!! I hear ya Jim. The idea that a politician would be more interested in helping the people of his state, than playing th re-election politics. He's outta there anyway, so why not do all you can for the people before you go. He will be known as the politician that went against Obama when he was told, basically, to step down and he said "NO". Now he will also be known for pushing this "so-called" liberal state into looking after it's LBGT community. He feels he has nothing to lose, and he said he would do these things as ppart of his election promises. Gosh, a politician who's willing to keep his campaign promises, EVEV when he knows he would work against him.
The fact that Iowa is more progressive than New York and California is still mind blowing.

[dt]

Oh yeah Jim you are right about that. I mean, where does this man get off actually doing his job? The nerve I say! Seriously, this man has been a supporter and protector for our community since he stepped into office. He had a tough job and met and made many decisions that were not popular and did not sugar coat anything but he did what he said he was going to do. Held no secrets, put it all out there and stayed honest. There are far too few politicians like him, including in the White House I’m sorry to say. Others may not appreciate what Gov. Patterson has done but I appreciate his hard work, honesty and integrity in an office and position where so many forget for what they are there.