In State Senate farewell, Hoylman-Sigal recalls progress on LGBTQ rights

"Hoylman-Sigal, who represented Manhattan's District 47 and chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee, made a significant impact on LGBTQ rights during his decade-plus tenure in the State Legislature, serving as a lead sponsor in many of the most critical pieces of legislation. One of the most consequential bills he spearheaded in the upper chamber was the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, or GENDA, which added gender identity and expression as protected classes in New York State's human rights and hate crimes laws."

"But Hoylman-Sigal also successfully championed numerous other LGBTQ-related bills, as well, including legislation barring conversion therapy for minors, repealing a discriminatory state loitering law known as a ban on "walking while trans," and ushering in the so-called "Shield Law 2.0," which improved on the existing Trans Safe Haven Act in an effort to protect transgender New Yorkers from the Trump administration."

"Some of Hoylman-Sigal's other legislative campaigns passed through both houses of the State Legislature, but died at the desk of Gov. Kathy Hochul, who vetoed one of his bills a year ago that would have protected users of peer-to-peer money transfer apps - a measure that was proposed in response to a string of deadly attacks targeting gay men in nightlife establishments."

Brad Hoylman-Sigal served as the State Senator for Manhattan's District 47 from his 2012 election and chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee before becoming Manhattan Borough President. He led passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), adding gender identity and expression to New York's human rights and hate crimes laws. He sponsored bans on conversion therapy for minors, repealed a discriminatory loitering law targeting transgender people, advanced Shield Law 2.0 to strengthen Trans Safe Haven protections, and legalized gestational surrogacy. Several of his other bills passed both legislative houses but were vetoed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, including measures addressing peer-to-peer payment app protections and Medicaid prior authorization for HIV/AIDS drugs.

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