Human Rights/Transgendered Rights

Sunday's Finger Lakes Times (February 24, 2013 page7A) reported that a bill adding transgendered rights to the human rights law is making its way through the state legislature.  They appear to have enough support to make it happen.  If so, then people who are among the intersexed folks would be protected in employment, housing, credit and likely public accommodation though that was not listed.  This is the NYS Human Rights Law I used to enforce as a specialist for the state.  It was a fun job, really.  I learned everybody's secrets and had the authority of the State of New York.  What a rush!

This bill also has provisions against bullying based on gender identity with the potential of assigning violence and verbal spewing as "hate crimes".  Apparently the government and advocates have been working on versions of the bill for several years.  After passing marriage equality legislation, they are able to focus on gender identity protections.

This is important legislation.  Sixteen states have already passed similar laws. Syracuse and NYC have already adopted anti-discrimination rules.  However, city ordinances do not have the weight and enforcement of state discrimination statutes.  Transgendered people (those in any level of transition) experience serious difficulties in trying to live ordinary lives.  People I know have been beaten at bus stops, harassed in the street, and denied jobs.  The woman interviewed in the paper is Cadence Casey.  She reports opting for a gender neutral image to avoid problems.  She cites housing as an important part of the legislative protections.  Landlord bias hits people right where they are most vulnerable, at home where one should be the safest. 

Of course the Conservatives are against this legislation.  They think existing laws are sufficient. They think we should not dream up different classifications for human beings. Ha! Our society is so polarized that the classifications humans are forced into resemble a caste system of bias and limitations.  Race and color, ethnicity, creed, sexual orientation, age, disability, sex, gender identity...all of these are classes of people experiencing discrimination and in need of legal protections.

But we have a good human rights law.  Why add to it?  Because it does not mention gender identity.
Because existing laws are not sufficient in court unless they do mention gender identity.  What? Do Conservatives think we sit around dreaming up new legislation for the sake of writing something? This law addresses a proven need in our society because people don't know how to behave without such legislation.  Simple fact.  Not hard to understand.

So hooray for New York State.  It is about time, and I am proud of you.