NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute

HIV Education & Training Programs

An Overview of Name Change and Anti-Discrimination Protections for TGNCNB New Yorkers  

The laws protecting transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary (TGNCNB) adults and youth have evolved rapidly over the last five years, especially around name and identity documents, as well as anti-discrimination protections.  This 90-minute training will provide participants with an overview of the legal name and change of sex designation process, including non-binary X gender markers under NY’s Gender Recognition Act.  We will also share information about anti-discrimination protections under the Gender Expression and Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) which provides protection for these communities in public accommodations, housing, employment, education, and more.  (Please note: The name change information may also be helpful for victims of crime, including domestic violence, trafficking, and sexual violence)

Course Objectives:  By the end of this training, participants will better understand: 

• Terminology used by TGNCNB communities
• Some of the lived experiences of TGNCNB people, including community members living with HIV/AIDS
• The need for accurate identity documents in our modern world
• Overview of the judicial name and gender marker change processes in New York courts, including selected resources for assistance  
• Overview of GENDA’s civil rights protections and how to enforce those rights at the New York State Division of Human Rights