Ahead of Annual NYC Pride March, Governor Hochul Signs Nation-Leading Legislation to Protect and Affirm The LGBTQ+ Community

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed nation-leading legislation to protect and affirm the LGBTQ+ community ahead of her participation in New York City's annual Pride March. Governor Hochul signed a groundbreaking new law that makes New York a "safe haven" for the trans community by ensuring New York will protect trans youth, their parents and their doctors and another law which protects their right to receive addiction treatment and rehabilitation. The Governor also signed three new laws that update legal documents in New York to remove outdated and stigmatizing terminology.

"As the birthplace of the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights, New York is proud to protect, defend and affirm our LGBTQ+ community," Governor Hochul said. "From Stonewall to Marriage Equality to GENDA, New Yorkers have been on the forefront of the fight for equal rights. Now, as other states target LGBTQ+ people with bigotry and fearmongering, New York is fighting back. These new laws will enshrine our state as a beacon of hope, a safe haven for trans youth and their families, and ensure we continue to lead the nation on LGBTQ+ rights."

Sandra Pérez, Executive Director of NYC Pride said, "We're thrilled to see that Governor Hochul recognizes the importance of signing this legislation alongside one of the most significant LGBTQIA+ events in the world at the place where Pride began. To have this legislation signed at the marquee event of NYC Pride underscores the importance of Pride events to bring the community together in celebration and in protest."

S.2475-B/A.6046-B amends the family court act, the executive law, the civil practice law and rules, the criminal procedure law, the education law, the public health law and the insurance law, to prohibit the following: the consideration of a law of another state that authorizes a child to be removed from their parent or guardian based on the parent or guardian allowing their child to receive gender-affirming care in custody cases, law enforcement agencies from cooperating with or providing information to any individual or out-of-state agency or department regarding the provision of lawful gender-affirming care performed in this state, the issuance of a subpoena in connection with certain out-of-state proceedings relating to seeking health or related information about people who come to New York to receive gender-affirming care, and the arrest of a person for performing or aiding in the lawful performance of gender-affirming care within this state

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, "Today, on Pride, New York makes clear to the nation that our state welcomes transgender children and their families by protecting them and their physicians who provide gender-affirming care with the enactment of our Trans Safe Haven legislation (S2475B). This legislation comes at a crucial time as right-wing lawmakers are waging a war against transgender children and their families across the country, with twenty states having already banned or restricted gender-affirming care for young people. I'm grateful to Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and my legislative partner Assembly Member Bronson for their support of this vital legislation and continuing to make New York a leader in supporting LGBTQ rights."

Assemblymember Harry B. Bronson said, "The Trans Safe Haven bill is a necessary response to the efforts of other states across the country to curtail the healthcare rights of transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and intersex individuals. There are currently 19 states that have enacted laws filled with fearmongering and hate, with additional proposed legislation in many others. I am thankful to Governor Hochul and my co-sponsor, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, for establishing, through New York State law, protections for individuals and families seeking gender-affirming care for themselves or their children, as well as for the health care practitioners who provide this care. The Trans Safe Haven Law is a clear and unwavering statement that we will not be complicit in other state's attempts to punish the provision of, receipt of, or support for gender-affirming care. New York State will not participate in hate. We will, instead, support and protect people to live as their authentic selves. "

S.993-A/A.4903amends the mental hygiene law to require the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to assure that persons who suffer from a substance use disorder have the right to seek and receive addiction services, care, treatment and rehabilitation services based on the individual's gender identity, gender expression and/or sexual orientation.

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, "The LGBTQ community has highly elevated levels of substance abuse disorder - a disparity caused by a host of risk factors related to demographics, gender, mental health, and socio-economic status. Seeking treatment is a battle for anyone struggling with substance abuse. We should not make the process any more difficult for LGBTQ New Yorkers who might fear misidentification by their healthcare providers. By ensuring that LGBTQ New Yorkers receive accurate and tailored treatment for their addiction, our bill (S993A) will save lives. I thank Assembly Member Kelles, Governor Hochul, and Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for having the backs of the LGTBQ community."

Assemblymember Anna R. Kelles said, "New York State law pertains to every New Yorker, and all New Yorkers deserve access to services, regardless of their gender identity, expression or sexual orientation. I'm proud that A1142 and A4903 passed the legislature, ensuring that all New Yorkers are represented and included in the language of our laws and that they have full access to substance use disorder treatment services. Gender binary never existed, and our legislation and state services are finally catching up to recognize that gender identity is a continuum. As we pass legislation, we need to ensure that the language of that legislation is not exclusionary. I want to thank Governor Hochul for joining Senator Krueger, Senator Holyman-Sigal and I and making this into the law of the State."

S.2442/A.7367 amends the executive law to remove outdated and stigmatizing statutory language from the definition of "sexual orientation" in New York's Human Rights Law. It strikes the phrase "However, nothing contained herein shall be construed to protect conduct otherwise proscribed by law" from the definition of "sexual orientation," and therefor reads, "The term "sexual orientation" means heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality or asexuality, whether actual or perceived."

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, "There is nothing criminal about one's sexual orientation, and our state's anti-discrimination law should reflect that. Passed in 2002, New York's Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) provided important legal protections from discrimination and hate crimes for lesbian, gay and bisexual New Yorkers - but it also enshrined a homophobic definition of sexual orientation into our state law. I'm grateful to Governor Hochul for signing our legislation (S2442) updating this outdated provision and to Assembly Member Simone and Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for ensuring our laws do not conflate sexual orientation and criminality."

Assemblymember Tony Simone said, "As we celebrate Pride Month, I am proud to see New York remove the last vestiges of homophobia from our state law," said Assemblymember Tony Simone. "While new anti-LGBT laws states are being proposed across the country, New York stands for freedom and equality for all. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law and to Senate sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal."

A.1142/ S.155 amends the general construction law to require that gender-neutral terms be used in any law, rule, regulation or resolution, including but not limited to "they," "them" and "theirs." If a law, rule, regulation or resolution is in reference to a specific person, the language referring to such person shall be gendered in accordance with the gender identity of such person.

State Senator Liz Krueger said, "New York State laws have continued to unnecessarily use gendered terms for far too long, excluding women and large numbers of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers who don't identify as he or she. I am proud that New York is finally recognizing that being referred to correctly is a basic human right. "

A.1371-A/ S.208-A amends the State Technology Law to call for state agencies to use gender neutral terminology on their websites. The language may be gendered if it is in relation to a specific person or a specific group of people, in accordance with the gender identity of such person or group.

State Senator Cordell Cleare said, "The words we use matter; furthermore, the words the government uses when interacting with the public matter even more. Enactment of this legislation will ensure that proper, non-biased words and language are used in official government communication, including via websites and on forms. This new law will help foster inclusivity, acceptance and respect."

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said,"As state houses across the country work to furiously decimate the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQIA+ community, New York State is fighting back. Whether it is marrying the person you love, undergoing gender-affirming care, dressing in drag or using your preferred pronoun, every LGBTQIA+ individual has a right to freely express themselves without fear. This legislative package, which includes my bill requiring state agencies to use gender-neutral terminology on its websites, will not only empower millions of LGBTQIA+ individuals, but will show what inclusivity and equality truly look like. In New York State, Pride is practiced every day of the year."

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said, "With trans communities under attack across the country, it is critical for New York to create and maintain a safe environment that protects trans youth and adults. These important new laws will contribute towards this goal and ensure that our government uses inclusive language for all that recognizes and respects gender identity and expression. New York must equally prioritize our LGBTQIA+ communities, and these bills being signed into law add to many steps that must continue to be taken. I thank Governor Hochul and the sponsors of the bills for their leadership."

Attorney General Tish James said, "As states around the nation pass hateful anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, here in New York we are continuing our longstanding commitment to protecting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community against all odds. When we create laws that prioritize equity and inclusion, everybody wins. I applaud my colleagues in the legislature and Governor Hochul for passing this nation-leading legislation and as the attorney general I vow to use the full force of my office to defend it."

Contact the Governor's Press Office