New York city government issues strong warning against transphobia
The New York city government has issued strong guidelines against transphobic discrimination.
Transgender people have had some legal protection in New York since 2002 but the guidelines further clarify what qualifies as discrimination under ‘The New York City Human Rights Law’ and contains examples of transphobic discrimination that violates the law.
(Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
New York city’s Mayor Bill de Blasio welcomed the guidelines, saying “New York has always been a diverse and welcoming city and our laws are designed to protect every New Yorker, regardless of their gender identity.
“Today’s new guidelines strengthen those laws by ensuring that every transgender and gender non-conforming person in New York receives the dignity and respect they deserve.”
Under the guidelines, missgendering (using the wrong name, title or pronoun), barring access to gendered facilities and enforcing gender specific dress codes are illegal in the city of New York.
Also an employer will be in breach of the law if they fail to provide health benefits that include gender-affirming healthcare and reasonable allowances for those receiving gender related care.
Those who are found in breach of the law can be fined up $125,000, going up to $250,000 if the discrimination is “the result of willful, wanton, or malicious conduct.”
According to a recent survey carried out by the National Center for Transgender Equality 74 percent of transgender New Yorkers have experienced discrimination at work.
Also 20 percent were turned down when seeking property, 17 percent were denied medical care and 53 percent had received verbal transphobic abuse in a public place.
Also, 75% of transgender school children had experienced harassment.
Last year a transgender student was assaulted after leaving a bar with friends in New York.
