N.Y. governor issues rules banning transgender bias statewide

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has introduced regulations that ban harassment and discrimination against transgendered individuals.

The governor’s office said in a statement this is the first time a governor has issued statewide regulations prohibiting transgender discrimination. Gov. Cuomo announced the regulations during a speech Thursday at a dinner of the Empire State Pride Agenda, a New York-based civil rights and advocacy organization.

Under state law, the New York Division of Human Rights has the statutory authority to promulgate regulations interpreting the state Human Rights law, according to the statement.

Discrimination against transgender people has been forbidden in the state by an executive order since 2009, but in practice that order only protects state workers, according to the statement.

“The scourge of harassment and discrimination against transgender individuals is well-known — and has also has gone largely unanswered for too long,” Gov. Cuomo said during the speech.

As awareness for transgender issues increases, more employers are including coverage for transition-related health care as a way to foster an inclusive workplace environment while attracting and retaining workers.