New York State Assembly passes transgender rights bill; Connecticut Senate votes for marriage bill
April 23, 2009
Special thanks for HRC's Chris Edelson and Che Tabisola for this update on legislative action in New York and Connecticut: 
The New York State Assembly on Tuesday voted 97-38 to pass the Gender Expression Non-discrimination Act (GENDA A.5710), which would add gender identity and expression as protected categories under the state's human rights law. GENDA would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and expression in employment, housing, public accommodations, access to credit, and other key areas. The Gay City News reports debate on the bill lasted 15 minutes, and the unofficial vote tally was 89-36. It was the second time the assembly approved the measure. In June 2008 it passed 108-33, but the bill stalled in the Senate. Once again, the key question this year will be whether the Senate will pass the bill and provide crucial protections under state law for transgender people. 
Next door to New York, marriage equality advocates celebrated the Connecticut Senate voting to pass SB 899, which would codify the state Supreme Court marriage equality ruling into statutory law and remove anti-gay language from state statutes. The bill would also recognize marriages and civil unions/broad domestic partnerships from out of state as marriage while making way for Connecticut civil unions to become marriages on October 1, 2010. Governor Rell is expected to sign the bill today. **UPDATE: Joe Solmonese issued this statement today on the passage of GENDA in New York:
This is an encouraging vote on much-needed legislation that is simply aimed at making sure everyone in New York receives equal protection under the law. We congratulate the Assembly for once again voting by an overwhelming margin in support of this bill, as well as the Empire State Pride Agenda, and NYAGRA for working to build support for this vital legislation. Transgender people face discrimination every day and they need and deserve these basic legal protections. I hope the Senate will pass this bill and make these protections a reality for all New Yorkers.
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