“Governor Cuomo has been a national champion for the LGBTQ community, with a proven track record of increasing much-needed protections and advancing equality for all New Yorkers,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “He led the way on winning marriage equality in New York, ensured critical non-discrimination protections were extended to transgender New Yorkers, took bold executive action to stop the discredited and dangerous practice of ‘conversion therapy,’ and set a strong example with his successful efforts to significantly lower the incidence of HIV and AIDS in the Empire State.”

During his tenure, Governor Cuomo has made LGBTQ equality a core part of his agenda, from fighting for marriage equality to combating HIV and AIDS to removing obstacles and improving opportunities for transgender Americans. Governor Cuomo extended vitally important non-discrimination protections to transgender New Yorkers and visitors in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Building upon state and federal case law, Governor Cuomo’s administration issued regulations clarifying that gender identity is included in the definitions of sex and disability which are protected under current state non-discrimination law. Cuomo is also the first governor to use executive action authority to protect LGBTQ youth from the dangerous and discredited practice of so-called “conversion therapy.” Cuomo was also one of the first governors to protect state workers by banning taxpayer-funded travel to North Carolina in light of the state’s anti-LGBTQ laws, HB2 and HB142. In August, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration told health insurers that they cannot deny coverage to, or otherwise discriminate against, people based on their gender identity.

In HRC’s 2017 State Equality Index, the annual national report assessing the status of state legislation affecting LGBTQ equality across America, New York fell into the highest-rated category for its dedication to equality through concrete protections and for serving as a national leader and example in protecting its LGBTQ citizens. HRC recently announced a bold, proactive grassroots expansion with the launch of HRC Rising — a campaign to accelerate progress in states from coast-to-coast, resist the politics of hate, fight anti-LGBTQ legislation, and fuel pro-equality candidates and initiatives. The expansion is the biggest strategic investment in the organization’s 37-year history. HRC has identified more than 5 million New Yorkers as likely Equality Voters, meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, adoption by LGBTQ people, and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Governor Cuomo will speak this Saturday at the 2018 HRC Greater New York Gala — one of HRC’s largest events of the year, attracting more than 1,000 of the organization’s most active leaders, supporters, and members. As previously announced, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will also speak at the event. Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award-winner Audra McDonald will receive the HRC National Equality Award. Special guests include “Hamilton” star Javier Muñoz, the cast of the upcoming Broadway musical “Mean Girls,” and many more. Diageo will receive the HRC Corporate Equality Award. 

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work, and in every community

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