NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ENCOURAGES NEW YORKERS TO SUBMIT FEEDBACK FOR TRANSGENDER EMPLOYMENT STUDY

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today announced a call for New Yorkers to submit public comments for its transgender employment study in line with Transgender Day of Visibility. In August, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation directing NYSDOL to conduct a study on the employment rate of transgender New Yorkers. This study will explore disparities in employment experiences between transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals and other New York State residents. Nationwide studies have found that transgender persons face higher rates of unemployment, workplace discrimination, harassment, and violations. To ensure the study is centered around the voices of the TGNC community, we are asking these New Yorkers to tell us about their employment experiences in New York State.

“I thank Governor Hochul and the New York State legislature for commissioning this report so we can get a better picture of the barriers that the Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming community faces,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “It is essential we hear from those in the community. The feedback we receive through this process will help us better understand the unique challenges that TGNC employees face in the workplace and inform our efforts to ensure equal opportunities and protections for all workers.”

Comments submitted through the portal will provide essential anecdotal data to help NYSDOL assess barriers to full employment faced by TGNC individuals and propose potential policy solutions. These comments will be part of a larger effort to center TGNC voices in this report through qualitative data gathering.

Submitted comments will be anonymous. However, NYSDOL asks those who feel comfortable doing so to share their age, race, and county to help us collect important demographic data. The portal will provide a blank field for commenters to personalize their gender identity. All information shared is completely confidential and will only be used to inform the study, which will be released later this year.

The public comment portal will be available starting March 31 through June 30. In the study, NYSDOL will put forward a set of policy recommendations specifically tailored to the employment needs of TGNC New Yorkers.

Sharing these types of experiences can be difficult and at times triggering. NYSDOL appreciates and values the experiences you share. If you are struggling and need support, there are resources available, including the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.

For LGBTQIA+ resources visit New York State’s Office of Mental Health’s LGBTQIA+ webpage.

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