The New York Senate has passed bills that ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity and prohibit sexual orientation change efforts therapy for minors.
State Senators approved on Tuesday the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), or S.1047, and S.1046, which prohibits mental health professionals from performing SOCE therapy on youth.
New York State Senator Brad Hoylman, who introduced both bills, said in a statement released Tuesday that he was “proud to be part of a Democratic majority that works to safeguard the rights of all New Yorkers.”
“The passage of GENDA … and legislation to end so-called conversion therapy will codify our progressive reputation and ensure that all New Yorkers, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation are treated with dignity and respect under the law,” stated Sen. Hoylman.
“As the Trump administration continues to rollback protections for LGBTQ Americans, today’s victory sends a strong message to LGBTQ New Yorkers across the state: you are loved, understood, and protected by your state government. We will not let you down.”
For years, State Senate Republicans had effectively blocked both legislative proposals, including in May 2018 when the New York Senate Investigations & Government Operations Committee defeated GENDA in a 5-4 vote that fell on party lines.
In 2016, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order banning conversion therapy for minors; however, there remained no actual legislation on the books.
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SOURCE: Christian Post, Michael Gryboski
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