http://youtu.be/YVgtirUBKr4
NEW YORK, – The Empire State Pride Agenda, New York’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today announced the launch of its second annual Transgender Awareness Month to celebrate the diverse lives and experiences of transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers.
This year’s theme, “True To You” speaks to the right every person has to identity as their authentic self without fear of discrimination. The campaign features video and images of transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers which will be shared via the organization’s social media channels today through December 6. In addition, related events throughout the month in all parts of New York State including for Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20 to recognize those whose lives were lost to hate in the past year can be found at prideagenda.org/TAM.
In conjunction with Transgender Awareness Month, the Pride Agenda today launches a survey that calls for all transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers and allies to participate through November 18. The survey can be found at: surveymonkey.com/s/TransAwarenessMonth
“We’re so proud to celebrate Transgender Awareness Month, a designated time when we honor those who lead the way in teaching the world about diversity of gender identity and expression,” said Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Nathan M. Schaefer. “While we uplift the rich experiences of transgender New Yorkers, we must also come together and raise our collective voice to demand that basic civil rights be extended to this group that still remains unprotected in nearly all sectors of their lives. We must pass GENDA and put an end to the legal discrimination that can presently be committed against a transgender person in New York State.”
The Pride Agenda’s top legislative priority is the long overdue passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA). 78% of New Yorkers support the passage of this bill, which would outlaw discrimination in New York State based on gender identity or expression. The New York State Assembly passed GENDA seven times, but the Senate failed to bring the bill to the floor for a vote in 2014. Leaders from law enforcement, women’s organizations, faith, municipal leaders and major newspapers across New York State support the bill. Gov. Cuomo voiced his most public support yet for the passage of GENDA in a letter and video to the Pride Agenda earlier this year.
