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GENDA Fails to Pass in New York State Senate Committee

by Susan Marie Kovalinsky | June 8, 2010 at 05:27 pm

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Although vote counts indicated GENDA (Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act) would pass the full New York Senate this month, the bill which would protect against discrimination in employment and housing on the basis of gender identity and expression failed to pass in the Judiciary committee.

The committee vote was 11-12, with all Republicans voting against the bill, joined by Democratic state senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. of the Bronx.

According to an e-mail announcement to supporters Tuesday from the Empire State Pride Agenda, the state’s leading LGBT lobbying group, “Today the Senate Judiciary Committee took up the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) and failed to move it forward by a vote of 11-12. All the Republican Senators on the Committee voted against it, as did Senator Ruben Diaz as the lone Democrat vote in dissent. Some senators raised concerns about the use of bathrooms and other gender-segregated facilities, and a number of senators who voted against the bill expressed a willingness to support it if this issue could be sufficiently addressed. Committee Chair John Sampson promised to take these concerns back to the prime sponsor of the bill, Senator Tom Duane, for discussion.”

A Major Disappointment to Proponents of Transgender Rights

In recent weeks many believed they would have the necessary 32 votes needed to pass the measure in the narrowly divided senate. GENDA already has passed the assembly, where Democrats hold firm control.

Over the weekend, Democratic leader John Sampson moved the bill from the investigations and government operations committee to the judiciary committee, which he chairs. Hopes were raised, only to be dashed.

Senator Tom Duane, the openly gay sponsor of GENDA, expressed anger and dismay at the committee vote.

The Manhattan Democrat said the decision to take the bill through committee ran counter to his preferred strategy, which would have been to put the bill through the rules committee and get it to the floor immediately for a vote.

The Senator said he also believes that homophobia and transphobia still prevail within the New York Senate.

The Pride Agenda vowed to continue to lobby senators on GENDA through the end of session.

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Rhonda J Mangus

at 17:32 on June 8th, 2010

Thanks for this, Susan. Unfortunately, it's no surprise!

Susan Marie Kovalinsky

at 17:59 on June 8th, 2010

Sigh. No, politics is a murky business, and you cannot count on support, it seems, even if you have been led to believe it will be forthcoming. Prediction: Gays are going to get sick and tired of politics, and begin demanding justice, not slick political strategies.