Issue Position: LGBT Rights

Issue Position

As the only openly-LGBT member of the New York State Senate, Brad has championed the need for expanding rights for LGBT New Yorkers. In 2015, he issued a report entitled "Stranded at the Altar," detailing the failure of the New York State Senate to address LGBT issues after the passage of marriage equality in 2011. In spite of this inaction, Brad was able to pass legislation to allow the Obama Administration to designate the first national monument dedicated to LGBT rights and history -- the Stonewall National Monument.

SUPPORTS passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, a bill that that would codify a ban on discrimination in New York State based on gender identity or expression and also expand the State's hate crimes law to explicitly include crimes against transgender people.

SUPPORTS banning licensed mental health professionals from engaging in so-called "conversion therapy" with LGBT minors.

SUPPORTS the Child-Parent Security Act, which extends important legal protections to LGBT parents and legalizes gestational surrogacy agreements.

SUPPORTS the Restoration of Honor Act, which restores eligibility for over 50 state programs and benefits for LGBT veterans who were less than honorably discharged from military service due solely to their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

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