“As the federal government seeks to roll back the progress we have achieved toward equality, we in New York will never stop fighting to ensure the LBGTQ community and all Americans are afforded the equal protections guaranteed to them by the United States constitution.
“The misguided action taken by the federal government last night runs contrary to the New York Promise of individual freedoms. With the stroke of a pen, they seek to move this country backwards.
“Today, I am urging the State Education Department to issue a directive to all school districts making it clear that – regardless of Washington’s action – the rights and protections that had been extended to all students in New York remain unchanged under state law.
“In New York, whether you are gay, straight or transgender, Muslim, Jewish or Christian, rich or poor, black or white or brown, we respect all people – and we will continue to enforce our laws and stand united against those who seek to drive us apart.”
The Governor issued the following letter to the State Education Department:
February 23, 2017
Commissioner MaryEllen Elia New York State Education Department 89 Washington Avenue Albany, New York 12234
Dear Commissioner Elia:
In light of the federal government’s action to rescind federal protections for transgender students, the State Education Department needs to immediately issue a directive to school districts making it clear that transgender students in this State are expressly protected from discrimination and harassment under New York State’s laws and policies.
Under State law, all students must have the opportunity to learn in an environment free from harassment and discrimination. As you may recall, in 2015, I directed that the State Education Department and the Board of Regents inform school districts of the law and clarify the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming students. The State Education Department subsequently took action, making it clear that, under federal and state laws, schools must ensure that a student’s gender identity or expression is not a basis for discrimination and intolerance.
The recent change in federal policy does not alter the protections we afford to transgender students. There can be no confusion in this State. New York State schools must continue to enforce the law and protect transgender and gender non-conforming students. Specifically, the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), which is a State statute, expressly requires schools to protect students from discrimination, harassment or bullying based upon gender, which includes a student’s actual or perceived gender, their gender identity or expression.
No student should be confused about their rights or fearful of losing these important protections. By immediately issuing this directive, the State will provide clarity to all school administrators and provide our transgender students with the reassurance they need to maximize their potential and understand their rights. Equally as important, it will demonstrate to all that we speak with a single voice: we do not and will not tolerate discrimination in the State of New York.
Sincerely,
ANDREW M. CUOMO
Cc: Chancellor Betty Rosa New York State Board of Regents
I am starting to receive messages regarding boycotting a business for X amount of days. That is great but the international companies will recovery. Many of the racists or people who, for some reason, are completely against the BLM movement will give the boycotted business all the business they need.
If we boycott a retailer, one that some of us actually work for, those employees will still get up and go to work and help that retailer make money for the day. The bus boycott worked because it had an effect on local economy(ies). Those white employees had to get paid and we know that when things become a white issue it is then considered an American issue (like drug addiction). Blacks still got to their jobs by walking. What’s is the difference now? There are more Blacks in the corporate workforce, more in federal, state, and local govt jobs, more in retail et al.
We don’t need X amount of days… We need 24 hrs. There are over 30 million African-Americans in the USA. How many of us spend at least 5 bucks a day? How many of us get up and go to a job where we help a non-black person make money?
So, my suggestion is still the same. From midnight to midnight, in every US time zone, on the same day, Don’t do anything; don’t go to work (unless it’s your business or black owned) (make sure to follow proper protocol for calling out sick, or using a personal day with your employer), don’t spend unless it is absolutely necessary (spend in local communities; no big chains), don’t ride their buses, don’t ride their trains, don’t buy gas, don’t drive their buses or trains for them, don’t take a flight, don’t buy the ticket.
Yeah, how do we get all of us to do this? They taught us to doubt our abilities…it’s time to show them what Black Power means.
Boycotts and Walkouts work… Needs to be well organized… Needs to happen from Maine to Hawaii… All together…all at once… Stop spending
My original post was in July…in response to the senseless killing of black persons by law enforcement. We may be entering police state where more than just black and brown folks are in danger… Hit back… In their wallets…
