Various New York jurisdictions, including but not limited to those listed below, prohibit sexual orientation discrimination in one or more of the following contexts: public employment, private employment, public accommodations, education and/or housing For more information on DASA, click here: Prohibited activities can include aggressive conduct, threats, intimidation or abuse that unreasonably and substantially interferes with another student’s educational performance. In 2012, the law was extended to apply to cyberbullying, prohibiting bullying and harassment via electronic communication.
The Dignity for All Students Act, effective as of July 1, 2012, seeks to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment and bullying on school property, school buses, and during school functions. Making a complaint with the Attorney General does not satisfy other statutory filing deadlines that may apply. If you believe you have been the victim of discrimination prohibited by SONDA, you may file a complaint with the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General's Office. Moreover, in 2009, then Governor David Paterson issued an executive order prohibiting discrimination in state employment on the basis of gender identity. Courts have also held that transgender people are protected under provisions of the New York State Human Rights Law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex and/or disability. However, SONDA does apply when a transgender person is discriminated against based upon his or her actual or perceived sexual orientation. With respect to transgender persons, SONDA does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and expression. SONDA, in combination with laws prohibiting discrimination based on marital status, together prohibit discrimination against same-sex couples in employment, housing, credit, education and public accommodations. The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act, effective as of January 16, 2003, makes it unlawful for anyone in New York State to be discriminated against in employment, housing, credit, education and public accommodations because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation. The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (“SONDA”) For information on whether a specific law applies to you, or if you believe you have been the victim of discrimination, contact the Civil Rights Bureau at (212) 416-8250 or York State LGBT Laws New York State residents receive LGBT and same-sex marriage protections under a variety of state and local laws.