FROM EMPIRE STATE PRIDE AGENDA

NY IS BEHIND MARYLAND AND 1/3 OF THE COUNTRY ON RIGHTS FOR TRANS? SAD! CAN YOU MAKE A FEW CALLS?

It's been a big week for transgender equality and justice. Maryland Governor O'Malley signed into law a bill that bans discrimination against transgender Marylanders, bringing the total to 18 states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico that provide protections on the basis of gender identity and expression. The New York State Assembly Governmental Operations Committee passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) with bi-partisan support, setting it up to be passed by the full Assembly for the seventh year in a row. Plus, the White House is backing a review of the military's ban on transgender service members and on Saturday, Mayor Lovely Warren and Councilmember-at-Large Matt Haag announced at the Pride Agenda's 15th annual Spring Dinner that the city of Rochester will extend transition-related medical coverage to all city employees.
We celebrate this important momentum but know that we face an uphill battle until GENDA becomes law in New York State. Though GENDA  has passed the Assembly six times, the Senate has refused even to bring it up for a vote.  A key group of Senators, the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), has the significant power to influence what legislation comes to the floor. It's time for Governor Cuomo to join Governor O'Malley and the White House and stand up for transgender New Yorkers.

We need your help. Please join us in calling your Senator and the Senate leadership to pass GENDA this session.

Tell our lawmakers that our rights are not progressive - they're fundamental - and that New York is behind more than one third of the country that already provides protections for its transgender residents.

Below you'll find the phone numbers for the IDC Senators, and you can find your local Senator's contact information here. Call today and make our collective voice heard!
Tony Avella
District Office
Phone: 718-357-3094
Albany Office
Phone: 518-455-2210

David Carlucci, Independent Democratic Conference Whip
District Office

Phone: 845-623-3627

Albany Office

Phone: 518-455-2991
Ossining Office
Phone: 914-941-2041

Jeffrey D. Klein, Independent Democratic Conference Leader & Majority Coalition Leader
District Office

Phone: 718-822-2049

Albany Office

Phone: 518-455-3595

 Diane J. Savino, Independent Democratic Conference Liaison to the Executive Branch

District Office

Phone: 718-727-9406

District Office 2

Phone: 718-333-0311

Albany Office
Phone: 518-455-2437

David J. Valesky, Deputy Independent Democratic Conference Leader for Legislative Operations
District Office

Phone: 315-478-8745

Albany Office

Phone: 518-455-2838

When we come together as a community, we cannot be ignored. Thank you for raisng the collective voice of LGBT New Yorkers!