Transgender rights in spotlight at hearings

Dozens of Ulster County residents turned out for a series of public hearings on proposed local laws intended to protect transgender people from discrimination and create a county Human Rights Commission that has some teeth.

All but one of the nearly two dozen speakers, which included several residents who identified themselves as transgender, urged county lawmakers on Tuesday to pass the measures. They also called on legislators to eliminate a provision that sets an effective date that would come only after the state gave the county the explicit authority to enact the laws, saying the amendment all but guaranteed the local laws would never see the light of day.

Yvette Quick, of Saugerties, the lone speaker to oppose the law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identify at places of public accommodation, resort or amusement, said Gov. Andrew Cuomo already has issued an executive order prohibiting such discrimination.

“I find it to be extremely redundant and a failure of resources,” Quick said of the anti-discrimination law, adding that she was concerned the law could open businesses up to liability.

Others, including several who identified themselves as transgender, said the laws would protect them against the discrimination they feel daily.

One transgender woman said that simply telling legislators she is transgender is “terrifying.”

“I live in fear every day of my life,” she said. “These laws save lives.”

“I cannot tell you how much discrimination I face in this county, in this building,” said a transgender man, who told lawmakers he was denied service by a county employee.

“Not passing this bill ensures that kind of behavior,” she said.

Jake Salt, director of programs and services at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center in Kingston, said the law is “about creating a legal and social environment where everybody ... is free to thrive.”

Several members of the county’s Human Rights Commission urged the Legislature to boost the commission’s funding so it can take on the new duties the proposed laws look to impose.

“I think it’d be lovely to have more prompt response to complaints,” said commission Chairman David Clegg.

“You have to fund us if we’re going to do that,” he said. “We need some support before we’re given more authority.”

Ulster County Legislature Chairman Ken Ronk said he the proposed local laws could be on the Legislature’s agenda for consideration in August.