Syracuse mayor signs law protecting gender expression

Mayor Stephanie Miner today signed a new local law that extends civil rights to all people regardless of gender expression. The law, which passed the city council 7-1 last month, prohibits discrimination based on a person’s “actual or perceived sex, or their gender identity or expression.” Advocates from the Transgender Alliance, SAGE Upstate, the New York Civil Liberties Union and others had urged the city to adopt the measure. Among the supporters were family members of LaTeisha Green, a transgender woman killed four years ago in a hate crime. “I was pleased to sign this into law today,” Miner said. “It is important for Syracuse to be at the leading edge of progress and this law helps improve the lives of many in our community.” The measure amends the city’s existing Fair Practices Law, which was passed in 1990 to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. Syracuse joins Buffalo, Ithaca, Rochester and six other New York municipalities that have passed similar legislation.