Eric Schneiderman Announces Plan for Equality and LGBT Rights

A press release from candidate for Attorney General, Sen. Eric Schneiderman:

 

Eric Schneiderman believes in progressive justice that takes an activist approach to protecting the rights of all New Yorkers. A longtime leader in the fight to ensure equal rights for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender community in New York State, Eric believes that no one should be denied civil rights on the basis of their sexual orientation or identity.

 

Eric strongly supports marriage equality for same-sex couples and fought to bring the bill to a vote on the Senate floor. As Attorney General, Eric will keep fighting to make sure that every New Yorker has the fundamental civil rights that come with a marriage license.

 

Eric voted to pass the Hate Crimes Bill that increased penalties for more than fifty kinds of crimes if it is proven that the act was committed as a result of a victim's age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, disability or ethnic background. Eric passed the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA), which expanded civil and human rights laws, making it illegal to discriminate against a person because they are gay, lesbian or bisexual. And Eric is fighting to pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), which ensures that all New Yorkers are free from discrimination.

 

Because schools must be a safe space for all of our children, Eric is a sponsor and strong supporter of the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA), which will create legal protections for public school students from harassment and bullying, including verbal abuse and physical violence.

 

As Eric fought both against and with the tide to enact and fight for a wave of laws to protect LGBT rights, he is running for Attorney General to fight to enforce those laws — and to aggressively fight to fulfill the state and federal constitutional principle that all people are equal under the law.

 

 

As Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman will take a stand whenever marriage equality or other denied constitutional rights are at issue. Accordingly, Eric will:

 

•Join the ongoing fight in the courts against the federal government to overturn the ill-named and unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act. Eric will also join a challenge to the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy and the FDA’s discriminatory, outdated and irrational ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men.

 

•Take a national leadership role by heading a coaltion of state Attorneys General to promote marriage equality in New York State and nationwide