Discrimination and intolerance must not be allowed to continue in New York State.
NYSUT strongly believes the state should do everything it can to protect the physical and psychological well-being of all people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth and adults alike. That is why we strongly support both the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and the Anti-Conversion Therapy bill.
GENDA prohibits discrimination based on gender identity or expression. Specifically, the bill will extend civil rights protections to New York State's transgender citizens against wrongful employment termination, refusal to hire, rental evictions and denial of public housing accommodations (which contributes to homelessness), food service refusal in public restaurants, and threat of, and actual, physical harm.
Anti-Conversion Therapy legislation prohibits mental health professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts on minors, also known as conversion therapy, which has been shown to have deleterious effects on patients that often results in feelings of anxiety and self-loathing.
By taking action to support GENDA and to oppose Conversion Therapy, you will be joining over 250 LGBTQ activists and allies on Tuesday, May 8th, in letting Albany know what needs to be enacted for the good of the community and the state.
Join with the collected voices at LGBTQ Advocacy Day to let our elected leaders know that all people—all families—are valued in New York State.
In solidarity,
Andrew Pallotta
NYSUT President
For more information and resources, visit www.nysut.org/lgbtq.