New York, NY (January 25, 2016) — Harlem United, a community-based housing, health and human services organization, commends Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on the new regulations banning discrimination and harassment against transgender New Yorkers. Governor Cuomo announced last week that the State Division of Human Rights has adopted these new regulations which are effective immediately. The final adoption of these regulations follows the Governor’s introduction of the regulations in October—an historic announcement marking the first time any Governor has issued statewide regulations to prohibit harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender identity, transgender status or gender dysphoria.
The regulations affirm that all transgender and gender nonconforming people across the State are protected under New York State’s Human Rights Law. With the regulations in place, transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers are protected against discrimination and harassment in housing, employment and public accommodations, and when seeking financial services such as mortgages or credit cards. The new regulations can be viewed here.
Harlem United CEO Jacquelyn Kilmer said “ We applaud Governor Cuomo for his leadership and unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of all New Yorkers. The impact of these regulations is significant, and should set an example for other states across the country that do not mandate the same protections. And while this is a critical step, we know that this does not signal the end of the work to fight the stigma, harassment, discrimination, and violence that transgender people face in their daily lives. We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to continue to combat these very real problems.”
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ABOUT HARLEM UNITED
Founded in 1988 to address the HIV epidemic, Harlem United is an dynamic community based organization devoted to improving well-being and diminishing social inequality by providing neighborhood-based HIV and health care, supportive housing and responsive human service – regardless of race, socio-economic status, gender identity or sexual orientation. www.harlemunited.org
