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Last Friday Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed into law the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act and legislation banning the practice of conversion therapy, signifying a landmark victory for the LGBTQ community and fulfilling the Governor's vow to sign this legislation within the first 100 days of the legislative session.

"As the most progressive state in the nation and as the home of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, New York has always been on the front lines fighting for full protections for every individual," Cuomo said. "By signing into law GENDA and a ban on the fraudulent practice of conversion therapy, we are taking another giant step forward in advancing equal justice for every New Yorker - regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. We are once again sending a clear and proud message that there is no place for hate in our state, and anyone who engages in bigotry and discrimination will be held accountable."

Furthering protections and equality for New York's LGBTQ community, the passage of GENDA prohibits employers, educational institutions, landlords, creditors, and others from discriminating against individuals on the basis of gender identity or expression, and make offenses committed on the basis of gender identity or expression hate crimes under New York State law.

In 2015, the Governor enacted regulations that protected all transgender individuals under the State's Human Rights Law, confirming to and all public and private employers, housing providers, businesses, creditors and others that discrimination against transgender individuals is unlawful and those who do not follow the law will be held accountable in New York State.

Mental health professionals have long recognized that therapies intended to change one's sexual orientation pose a health risk to the individual. The legislation signed today bans the practice of conversion therapy by expanding the definition of professional misconduct for professions licensed under the education law to include engaging in conversion therapy with a patient under the age of eighteen years.

In 2016, Cuomo announced multi-agency regulations to ban the practice of conversion therapy on minors. At the Governor's direction, the Department of Financial Services issued regulations preventing insurers from providing coverage for conversion therapy for individuals under the age of 18, the Department of Health prohibited coverage of the practice under New York's Medicaid program, and the Office of Mental Health restricted facilities under its jurisdiction from using the treatment on minors.

"The passage of GENDA and the ban on conversion therapy practices are major steps forward for the LGBTQ community, and signal that New York State is ready to be a true progressive leader that supports and affirms transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary New Yorkers as well as our youth," said Glennda Testone, Executive Director of NYC's LGBT Community Center. "We celebrate these long-overdue wins, Cuomo's commitment to making them a reality and the tireless activism from all who refused to give up on making New York a more inclusive state despite seemingly insurmountable boundaries. These victories show what we can do when we come together in support of one another, and what's possible for the road ahead."

"No person should face discrimination or violence because of their gender identity, especially in the state that is the birthplace of the LGBTQ rights movement," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "The Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act will finally provide protections within our laws to secure equal rights for transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary New Yorkers. We proudly celebrate our diversity that makes us the Empire State. With GENDA and legislation banning conversion therapy now state law, we are one step closer to ensuring justice and equality for all."

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