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The Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act

The Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act is a proposed bill currently in the New York State Assembly. This bill would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression. This bill defines "gender identity or expression" as having or being perceived as having a gender identity, self image, appearance, behavior or expression whether or not that gender identity, self image, appearance, behavior or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the sex assigned to that person at birth. This bill would protect all transgender individuals from discrimination regarding employment, insurance/benefits, housing, education, religion, and any thing else relating to their quality of life. Also included under its protection are individuals whose outward appearance does not conform to the traditional gender role. The bill further includes offenses regarding gender identity or expression within the list of offenses subject to treatment as hate crimes.

What does this bill mean for you?

Although this bill was created specifically to protect all transgender individuals from discrimination and hate crimes, the benefits can be felt by the LGBT community. Often times a gay/lesbian couple decide to become a family with the adults taking on the natural roles as "mother" and "father." However, if you are a man fitting into the "mother" role, your job may discriminate against you because of the time you take off from work to take care of the child(ren). If a woman requested the same time off, it would be accepted blindly that she was a "mother" who needed to take care of her family. With GENDA, the discriminatory actions against a man for caring for his family would not be allowed to take place.