League of Women Voters Partners with the Pride Agenda

Any movement needs strong allies that have the ability to lift up issues with legislators, the media and the general public and who will play a key role in helping move legislation through the process to become law in New York State. The passage of the Dignity for All Students Act last year, the Sexual Orientation Non Discrimination Act (SONDA) in 2002 and the Hate Crimes Law in 2000 are all proof of that. Those bills had strong support from our allies and our work this year on transgender civil rights and marriage continues to build on that.

The transgender community and the equality and justice movement to pass the Gender Expression Non Discrimination Act (GENDA) recently gained a great ally in the League of Women Voters of New York State. This well-respected organization recently signed up in support of the marriage bill, too.

The League of Women Voters has become an especially important voice and partner working with the Pride Agenda to pass GENDA and marriage. Their eloquent statement to their members can be reviewed here. They have officially made this part of their lobbying efforts during this legislative session and have committed to having their members visit and contact legislators, work with us on in-district meetings in key areas of focus, participate in Equality & Justice Day and in strategic planning efforts. Their commitment will help leverage other women’s organizations, too.

If you are affiliated with or know other organizations that may be willing to make a public statement in support of the passage of the GENDA bill, please let us know. You can also learn more about these and other efforts to increase awareness and work to pass legislation that would protect transgender New Yorkers. You can also attend our upcoming webinar and register for Equality & Justice Day to lend your voice as an ally for transgender equality and justice. Please get in touch with me at ssable AT prideagenda DOT org or our new Transgender Rights Organizer, Grayson Mitchell, at gmitchell AT prideagenda DOT org.