Issue Position: Human and Civil Rights

Issue Position

1) Pass GENDA: As a mother, and as a coworker and friend of people of all backgrounds in our diverse Capital Region, my vision for our State is one that gives all of our neighbors the right to live, work and prosper, regardless of their gender expression or identity. Marriage equality was a huge step forward for the LGBT community, but it was by no means the end of the fight. The transgender community in New York should be afforded the same rights as everyone else. That includes workplace equality and the ability to contribute to society without fear of being fired, harassed or otherwise discriminated against based on gender expression. The passage of the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, or GENDA, is a simple matter of civil rights, and has my full support.

2) Support Pay Equity: I strongly support Pay Equity, equal pay for equal work regardless of gender. In New York, one million households are headed by women; yet women earn only $.83 for every $1.00 that men earn. Over a lifetime, the loss in salary compounds to tens of thousands of dollars -- money that could be used to lift families out of poverty. New York State is making headway, with recent passage in the Assembly and Senate of the Women's Workforce Bill, which will provide program services for women job seekers such as information on careers with high earning potential, skills development, and employment referrals; but much more needs to be done. I support passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act on the federal level, and I will work closely with pay equity advocates to pass additional legislation that addresses this crucial civil rights issue at the state level.

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