Bill Text: NY J01144 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

New York Senate Resolution 1144 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 20, 2021, as Transgender Day of Remembrance in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-06-08 - ADOPTED [J01144 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-J01144-Introduced.html


Senate Resolution No. 1144

BY: Senator PARKER

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        November 20, 2021, as Transgender Day of Remembrance
        in the State of New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the intent of this Legislative Body to commemorate
and increase awareness of the community issues that are of  significance
to the citizens of this great Nation and Empire State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this  Legislative  Body  is  justly  proud  to
memorialize  Governor  Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 20, 2021, as
Transgender Day of Remembrance in the State of New York, in  conjunction
with the observance of International Transgender Day of Remembrance; and

  WHEREAS,  Transgender  Day  of Remembrance (TDoR), also known as the
International Transgender Day of Remembrance, has been observed annually
since its inception on November 20th as a day to memorialize  those  who
have  been murdered as a result of transphobia; it is also a day to draw
attention to the continued violence endured by transgender people; and

  WHEREAS, Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded  in  1999  by  a
small group, including Gwendolyn Ann Smith, to memorialize the murder of
Rita  Hester,  a  transgender  woman in Allston, Massachusetts; by 2010,
TDoR was observed in over 185 cities throughout more than 20  countries;
and

  WHEREAS,  Each  year,  a typical TDoR memorial includes a reading of
the names of those who lost their lives from November 20 of  the  former
year to November 20 of the current year, and may include other tributes,
such  as  candlelight  vigils,  dedicated  church services, marches, art
shows, food drives and film screenings; and

  WHEREAS, Formerly the Gay &  Lesbian  Alliance  Against  Defamation,
GLAAD has extensively covered Transgender Day of Remembrance through its
interviews  of  numerous  transgender advocates including actress Candis
Cayne; this vital organization has also profiled an  event  at  the  New
York  City LGBT Community Center and has widely discussed media coverage
of TDoR; and

  WHEREAS, Transgender violence and bigotry harm our communities, with
statistics showing that one in two  transgender  and  gender  non-binary
individuals  have  encountered  verbal,  physical, emotional, or digital
violence; and

  WHEREAS, One in five transgender people in the  United  States  have
been denied housing and 11% have been evicted for their gender identity;
furthermore,  one  in  12  transgender people report being kicked out of
their family homes and one in five transgender people have been homeless
at some point in their lives; and

  WHEREAS, Transgender people have a rate of  depression  nearly  four
times  that of the general population and 40% of transgender people have

attempted suicide in their lifetime (nine times the rate of the  general
population); and

  WHEREAS,  One in two transgender people have been sexually assaulted
at some point in their life,  with  that  percent  only  increasing  for
females and people of color; and

  WHEREAS,  More than half of transgender individuals have experienced
harassment due to their gender identity at  their  work  or  in  medical
offices; and

  WHEREAS,  Transgender  people  are four times more likely to live in
poverty than the general population; and

  WHEREAS, We must work together  to  educate  our  communities  about
transgender  rights,  supporting the transgender community, and speaking
out against harmful attitudes and actions which condone transphobia; and

  WHEREAS, When we as a New York State Legislative Body  actively  get
involved, we can prevent transphobia by increasing education, awareness,
and community involvement; and

  WHEREAS,  It is time to create a safer environment in the workplace,
the community, and the whole State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, November 20th is National Transgender  Day  of  Remembrance
and  each  day  in  the  year is an opportunity to create change for the
future; and

  WHEREAS,  Transgender  violence  is  a  horrific  hate  crime  which
deserves the attention of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 20,  2021,  as
Transgender  Day  of  Remembrance  in  the  State of New York; and be it
further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of  the  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.