Rochester City Council GENDA Letter

8/7/2019 Rochester City Council GENDA Letter

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/rochester-city-council-genda-letter 1/4

City of Rochester

Rochester City Council

lovely A. Warren, President

CouncilmemberNortheast District

April 27, 2011

Elaine M. Spaull , Vice PresidentCouncilmemberEast District

Carolee A. Conkl inCouncilmember-at-Large

Matt HaagCouncilmember-at-Large

Adam C. McFaddenCouncil memberSouth District

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo

Governor of New York State

New York State Capitol Building

Albany, NY 12224

Dana K. Mil lerCouncilmember-at-Large Dear Governor Cuomo:

Carla M. PalumboCouncilmemberNorthwest District

Jacklyn OrtizCouncilmember-at-Large

Loretta C. ScottCouncilmember-at-Large

This letter is to inform you of our support for the Gender Expression Non-

Discrimination Act (GENOA) bill that is currently pending in the New York State

Legislature. GENOA will provide basic civil rights for transgender New Yorkers

by adding gender identity and expression to the already existing New York State

human rights law.

It is our understanding that while there are currently laws in existence that make it illegal in New York

State to discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, sex,

marital status, and other categories in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations,

education, and credit, current human rights law does not explicitly ban discrimination on the basis of

gender expression. We believe all New Yorkers deserve equal treatment and an equal playing field,

particularly as it pertains to the law.

In May 2001, the City Council passed a transgender- inclusive, non-discrimination law that has protected

transgender Rochesterians in housing, public accommodations, and employment for almost a decade.

Since this law has been in existence, our city simply has not experienced the negative effects that

opponents of this legislation claim could happen.

In addition to the City of Rochester, there are 13 states, the District of Columbia, and over 90 localities

across the United States that have passed transgender-inclusive, non-discrimination laws, including

other New York localities such as the City of Albany, City of Binghamton, City of Buffalp, City of Ithaca,

New York City, Rhinebeck (for city employees only), and Suffolk, Westchester, and Tomkins Counties.

As elected officials, it is our job to protect the citizens of our city. We believe that any proposed

legislation or ordinance that helps to strengthen existing laws, and helps to better protect the

hardworking people in our community, including transgender people, should be fully supported and

enacted into law.

(page 1 of 2)

City Hall, R oo m 3 01 -A , 3 0 C hu rch S tree t, R oche ste r, N ew Y ork 1 46 14-1265, (5 85 ) 4 28 -7 53 8, F AX (5 85 ) 4 28 -6 34 7

EEO Employer/Handicapped e-mail: council@cityofrochester.gov

8/7/2019 Rochester City Council GENDA Letter

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Therefore, we voice our support for GENOA, and join with the vast majority of New York State citizens,

as well as the members of the New York State Assembly who have passed this legislation three times, in

affirming that basic human rights should be afforded to all people, regardless of an individual's gender

expression.

We urge the New York State Legislature and Governor to enact GENOA and eliminate discrimination

against transgender New Yorkers.

Sin~£~IY A. Warren

President

Elaine M. Spaull

Vice President Councilmem

J.:::~~J(1;;d:.~9L-----~.- <

Carolee A. Conklin Adam C. McFadden Dana K. MillerCouncilmember Councilmember Couneilmemberr--'"

~z/

a=~cilmember

(bdb»~Carla M. Palumbo

Councilmember

ce. Alden M. Bashaw

Western New York Organizer

Empire State Pride Agenda

(page 2 of 2)

8/7/2019 Rochester City Council GENDA Letter

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/rochester-city-council-genda-letter 3/4

City of Rochester

Rochester City Council

Lovely A. Warren, PresidentCouncilmemberNortheast District April 27, 2011

Elaine M. Spaull, Vice PresidentCouncil memberEast District

Carolee A. ConklinCouncilmember-at-Large

Matt HaagCouncilmember-at-Large

Adam C. McFaddenCouncilmemberSouth District

The Honorable Dean Skelos

New York State Senate

Majority Leader, 9thSenate District

Legislative Office Building, Room 909

Albany, NY 12247

Dana K. Mil lerCouncilmember-at-Large

Carla M. PalumboCouncilmemberNorthwest District

Dear Dean Skelos:

Loretta C. ScottCouncilmember-at-Large

This letter is to inform you of our support for the Gender Expression Non-

Discrimination Act (GENDA) bill that is currently pending in the New York State

Legislature. GENOA will provide basic civil rights for transgender New Yorkers

by adding gender identity and expression to the already existing New York State

human rights law.

Jacklyn OrtizCouncilmember-at-Large

It is our understanding that while there are currently laws in existence that make it illegal in New York

State to discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, sex,

marital status, and other categories in the areas of employment, housing, public accommodations,

education, and credit, current human rights law does not explicitly ban discrimination on the basis of

gender expression. We believe all New Yorkers deserve equal treatment and an equal playing field,

particularly as it pertains to the law. \

In May 2001, the City Council passed a transgender- inclusive, non-discrimination law that has protected

transgender Rochesterians in housing, public accommodations, and employment for almost a decade.

Since this law has been in existence, our city simply has not experienced the negative effects that

opponents of this legislation claim could happen.

In addition to the City of Rochester, there are 13 states, the District of Columbia, and over 90 localities

across the United States that have passed transgender-inclusive, non-discrimination laws, including

other New York localities such as the City of Albany, City of Binghamton, City of Buffalo, City of Ithaca,

New York City, Rhinebeck (for city employees only), and Suffolk, Westchester, and Tomkins Counties.

As elected officials, it is our job to protect the citizens of our city. We believe that any proposed

legislation or ordinance that helps to strengthen existing laws, and helps to better protect the

hardworking people in our community, including transgender people, should be fully supported and

enacted into law.

(page 1 of 2)

City Hall, Room 301-A, 30 Church Street, Rochester, New York 14614-1265, (585) 428-7538, FAX (585) 428-6347

EEO Employer/Handicapped e-mail: council@cityofrochester.

8/7/2019 Rochester City Council GENDA Letter

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/rochester-city-council-genda-letter 4/4

Therefore, we voice our support for GENDA, and join with the vast majority of New York State citizens,

as well as the members of the New York State Assembly who have passed this legislation three times, in

affirming that basic human rights should be afforded to all people, regardless of an individual's gender

expression.

We urge the New York State Legislature and Governor to enact GENDA and eliminate discrimination

against transgender New Yorkers.

5;:4L vely A. Warren

P esident

Elaine M. Spaull

Vice President

~~

Adam C. McFaddenCouncilmember

Carolee A. ConklinCouncilmember

~~Carla M. Palumbo

Councilmember

cc. Alden M. Bashaw

Western New York Organizer

Empire State Pride Agenda

(page 2 of 2)