The Department of Education today released a summary of bias-based harassment reports in New York City schools for the 2008-2009 school year. The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF), Make the Road NY, New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy (NYAGRA), the New York City Bar Association LGBT Committee, the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Sikh Coalition released the following statement in response to the summary.

The New York Civil Liberties Union today applauded Governor David Paterson for signing an executive order prohibiting discrimination against New York State employees on the basis of gender identity or gender expression. Now all state employees are legally protected against workplace discrimination.

The New York Civil Liberties Union today denounced the State Senate’s failure to pass legislation to give lesbian and gay couples the ability to marry in New York State, but expressed confidence that the marriage bill will pass in the near future.

Today, New York’s highest court unanimously affirmed the state’s ability to recognize the out-of-state marriages of same-sex couples. But because the case only involved one state agency’s recognition of out-of-state marriages, the four-judge majority called on the legislature to take up the marriage issue. The three concurring judges also noted the need for statewide recognition of same-sex couples’ marriages.

The New York Civil Liberties Union today expressed disappointment about the State Senate’s failure to vote on legislation to give lesbian and gay couples the ability to marry in New York State. “The senators missed an opportunity to make history and embrace fairness for all New York families,” said NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman. “Marriage is a defining civil rights issue of our day, and unfortunately, the State Senate has taken a position of ‘no action’ on it.”

A week after the New York Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit against the Mohawk Central School District in Herkimer County for failing to protect a gay student who does not conform to masculine stereotypes from vicious and relentless harassment, threats and physical abuse at school, the district has agreed to take immediate action aimed to ensure that student’s safety when classes resume next month.

The New York Civil Liberties Union today filed a federal lawsuit against the Mohawk Central School District in Herkimer County for failing to protect a gay student who does not conform to masculine stereotypes from vicious and relentless harassment, physical abuse and threats of violence.

A group of five civic and community advocacy organizations today released a white paper and report card showing that the New York City Department of Education (DOE) is falling short on its duty to protect public school students from bias-based harassment and bullying.

Today, during a second extraordinary session, the New York State Senate is scheduled to consider the marriage bill. The New York Civil Liberties Union, one of the largest membership organizations in the state with nearly 50,000 members, called on senators to put aside the fight for power and vote to protect all of New York’s families. “Marriage shouldn’t be about politics. Being able to get married – and protect your partner and your children – is a matter of human dignity. Our leaders must put aside their differences and momentarily forget the leadership fight and pass the marriage bill today,” said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the NYCLU. “Our senators must get on the right side of history and support fairness and equality for all New Yorkers.”

The New York Civil Liberties Union today filed a formal freedom of information request for records regarding Suffolk County’s recent rejection of a local LGBT rights group’s attempt to place advertisements expressing support for same-sex marriage on county buses.