FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 7, 2011

GLAD Celebrates Connecticut’s New Transgender Non-Discrimination Law

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) hailed the passage of HB 6599 in Connecticut, a law to protect the state’s transgender residents from discrimination.  It was signed into law by Governor Dan Malloy on July 5, 2011 and goes into effect on October 1, 2011.

GLAD was part of a coalition supporting the legislation led by ctEQUALITY, the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund, Planned Parenthood of Connecticut, and the Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition. GLAD presented testimony, participated in the formation of strategy, and did message development and training.

“We are proud to be part of the coalition that worked to pass Connecticut’s transgender non-discrimination bill, and we are thrilled that Governor Malloy signed the bill into law on Tuesday,” said Jennifer Levi, director of GLAD’s Transgender Rights Project.

“Congratulations to the state of Connecticut for recognizing the dignity and worth of its transgender residents and acting to ensure that they will have fair and equal opportunities to earn a living, find a safe and comfortable place to live, and enjoy public spaces without fear of being discriminated against simply because of who they are.”

Connecticut became the 15th state (along with the District of Columbia) where trangender people are protected from discrimination by law.