LGBT rights in New York
Encyclopedia
The expansion of LGBT rights in the U.S. state of New York is a recent phenomenon, with most advances in LGBT rights occurring in the 1990s and 2000s. The advocacy movement for LGBT rights in the state has roots dating back to the Stonewall riots
in New York City in 1969, which was also a watershed moment for the international inception of LGBT rights advocacy.
in the 1980 case New York v. Onofre
, with the exception of laws affecting employees of the New York National Guard. Repeal of the state National Guard's restrictions took effect in 2000.
allowing same-sex marriages to be performed in New York State. The law took effect on July 24, 2011.
Before July 24, 2011, New York only recognized same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions since 2008, when Governor David Paterson
issued an executive directive for all state agencies to recognize such marriages. New York City
has recognized domestic partnerships since 1998, when Mayor Rudy Giuliani
signed a law establishing them.
Before the passage of the Marriage Equality Act
, the New York Court of Appeals held that New York law did not permit same-sex marriage and that there was no state constitutional right to same-sex marriage.
New York has provided benefits to same-sex partners of state employees since 1995.
On December 16, 2009, Governor David Paterson issued an executive order banning discrimination based on gender identity in state employment.
In 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, the state Assembly
passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Bill (GENDA). The bill never passed the state Senate
.
Stonewall riots
The Stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against a police raid that took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City...
in New York City in 1969, which was also a watershed moment for the international inception of LGBT rights advocacy.
Laws against homosexuality
All existing laws against private consenting homosexual sexual conduct between adults were abolished by the New York Court of AppealsNew York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
in the 1980 case New York v. Onofre
New York v. Onofre
The People v. Ronald Onofre, 51 N.Y.2d 476, 415 N.E.2d 936, 434 N.Y.S.2d 947 , was a 1981 appeal against New York sodomy laws, decided in the New York Court of Appeals.- Brief summary :...
, with the exception of laws affecting employees of the New York National Guard. Repeal of the state National Guard's restrictions took effect in 2000.
Recognition of same-sex relationships
On June 24, 2011, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed the Marriage Equality ActMarriage Equality Act
The Marriage Equality Act is a 2011 New York State law that allows gender-neutral marriages for both same- and opposite-sex couples, while prohibiting state and local courts and governments from penalizing religious and religious-supervised institutions, their employees, or clergy for refusing to...
allowing same-sex marriages to be performed in New York State. The law took effect on July 24, 2011.
Before July 24, 2011, New York only recognized same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions since 2008, when Governor David Paterson
David Paterson
David Alexander Paterson is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of New York, from 2008 to 2010. During his tenure he was the first governor of New York of African American heritage and also the second legally blind governor of any U.S. state after Bob C. Riley, who was Acting...
issued an executive directive for all state agencies to recognize such marriages. New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
has recognized domestic partnerships since 1998, when Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Rudy Giuliani
Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani KBE is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001....
signed a law establishing them.
Before the passage of the Marriage Equality Act
Marriage Equality Act
The Marriage Equality Act is a 2011 New York State law that allows gender-neutral marriages for both same- and opposite-sex couples, while prohibiting state and local courts and governments from penalizing religious and religious-supervised institutions, their employees, or clergy for refusing to...
, the New York Court of Appeals held that New York law did not permit same-sex marriage and that there was no state constitutional right to same-sex marriage.
New York has provided benefits to same-sex partners of state employees since 1995.
Discrimination protection
In 2003, New York's Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) took effect. SONDA "prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit, and the exercise of civil rights."On December 16, 2009, Governor David Paterson issued an executive order banning discrimination based on gender identity in state employment.
In 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, the state Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
passed the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Bill (GENDA). The bill never passed the state Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
.