NEWS AND ISSUES
PORT AUTHORITY DENIES TRANSGENDER NEW YORKERS THEIR BASIC RIGHTS UNDER THE LAW
SENATOR THOMAS K. DUANE BLASTS PORT AUTHORITY FOR DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANSGENDER WOMEN
New York City, Wednesday, October 25, 2006
New York State Senator Thomas K. Duane (D WFP Manhattan) today denounced the recent arrest of three transgender youths for using the women’s restroom at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, and demanded that the New York/New Jersey Port Authority recognize, and conform to, New York City’s Human Rights Law, which makes it illegal to discriminate based on an individual’s “actual or perceived gender.”
The New York City Human Rights Commission guidelines say it is discriminatory to “not allow individuals to use a restroom…consistent with their gender identity or gender expression” or to “require individuals to provide identification…before using a restroom.”
“It’s outrageous that despite explicit protection under the City’s Human Rights Law, Transgender New Yorkers continue to face this kind of discrimination,” Senator Duane said. “Transgender people should not have to fight every day for their basic rights, and they should not have to fear discrimination from any authority with facilities in New York City simply because it feels it is above New York City law.”
Senator Duane added, “I am here with Sylvia’s Place, other elected officials and advocates to demand that the charges against these young, transgender women be dropped, that the Port Authority change its policies to adhere to New York City law and basic moral standards, and that the Port Authority educate its employees about transgender rights as well as provide sensitivity training.”
Just this week, a similar case, in which a transgender woman named Helena Stone had been prevented from using the women’s restroom at Grand Central Station, was settled with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). As a result of the settlement, all charges were dropped against Ms. Stone and the MTA agreed to implement mandatory transgender sensitivity training for MTA employees.
