NY Now Prohibits Discrimination Based On Gender Identity

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Dave Lucas

Published January 20, 2016 at 6:44 PM EST

A new regulation protecting transgender New Yorkers from discrimination is taking effect.

The change, which became effective on Wednesday, expands the state's existing anti-discrimination rules to prohibit discrimination against a transgender person when it comes to jobs, loans, schools and public accommodations.

The state already prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, disability and gender.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo used his executive power last year to order the expansion after legislation that would have prohibited discrimination based on gender identity failed in the state Senate.

Nineteen states and the District of Columbia already prohibit discrimination against transgender individuals.

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Dave Lucas

Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.

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