ALBANY – State Senator Daniel Squadron, Senate sponsor of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), released the following statement after the Assembly passed the legislation for the eighth time today:  

"Today the Assembly passed GENDA for the eighth time -- yet Senate Republicans continue blocking a vote for equality. Today's Assembly vote, without debate, shows that the time is long overdue for equality in New York State. It's shocking that our state allows discrimination against transgender New Yorkers -- in housing, employment and public accommodations -- simply for being who they are. Countless other states, and localities within our own state, have acted. Until New York extends to all New Yorkers the rights that most of us take for granted, it is urgent that we pass this bill.

As I've said, the failure of New York’s legislature to pass GENDA remains the shame of our state. Thank you to Assemblymember Gottfried, Governor Cuomo, Speaker Heastie, Senator Hoylman, my colleagues and all the advocates who are pushing to pass GENDA."