MANHATTAN – Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron released the following statement regarding President Obama's support to ban "conversion therapy":

“It’s encouraging that President Obama announced his support to ban 'conversion therapy,' underscoring its destructive impact in particular on transgender youth. As LGBT rights continue to expand across the country, it is all the more shocking that basic civil rights protections in housing, employment and public accommodations are still not afforded to transgender New Yorkers. While the Indiana state legislature received widespread condemnation last month for passing a law that could legalize discrimination, the failure of New York’s legislature to pass GENDA remains the shame of our state. Until all New Yorkers have the same basic rights most can take for granted, this is an issue that affects all of us. The State Assembly has passed GENDA seven times, and Governor Cuomo has reiterated his support. It is time that the Senate Majority get on board with ending legal discrimination and bring this bill to the floor for a vote.”