New York

I want custody or visitation of my child (1)+

• New York high court rules non-biological parents can seek custody and visitation

  The New York State Court of Appeals ruled in August 2016 that non-biological, non-married, non-adoptive parents can seek custody and visitation of children who were born into their relationships with the consent of the child’s biological parent. Content Detail

  By:

  Lambda Legal

Domestic partnership (2)+

• Domestic Partnership Registration in New York City

  Information on how to register as domestic partners in New York City, including who may do this and what steps you will need to take. Content Detail

  By:

  City of New York - Office of the City Clerk

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Termination of Domestic Partnership (in New York City)

  You or your partner may terminate your Domestic Partnership by filing a Termination Statement. Click to learn more. Content Detail

  By:

  City of New York - Office of the City Clerk

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Education (1)+

• Out, Safe and Respected: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights at School

  National, but with information helpful to New Yorkers Content Detail

  By:

  Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

I am an immigrant (2)+

• Couples and families

  The lives of many LGBTQ-immigrant couples changed forever on June 26, 2013, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples can file marriage-based green card petitions. Some restrictions still remain, however. Follow this link to learn more. Content Detail

  By:

  Immigration Equality

• Rights of transgender immigrants in New York

  Follow the link for information on name changes, name and gender change on immigration documents, trans-marriage recognition, the Real ID Act and asylum for trans people. Content Detail

  By:

  Sylvia Rivera Law Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

I have been discriminated against or denied a service (2)+

• Article 78 Proceedings – How to Appeal an Agency Decision

  If you disagree with an agency decision, you can appeal the decision to the New York courts. You can do so by bringing an “Article 78 Proceeding.” Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc.- LawNY® - Geneva Office

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Westchester County Human Rights Commission

  If you think that your rights have been violated in Westchester County because of discrimination, contact the Human Rights Commission. Content Detail

I want to file a complaint (10)+

• Clinton County Human Rights Commission

  If you believe that you have been discriminated against within the County of Clinton you may file a complaint with the Clinton County Human Rights Commission. Content Detail

• Nassau County Commission on Human Rights

  The Nassau County Commission on Human Rights is committed to improving relations and insuring equality of opportunity in Nassau County. The Commission?s mandate is to eliminate discrimination in employment, housing, places of public accommodation and education. In Nassau County, discrimination is defined as any difference in treatment based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status or disability. Content Detail

• Onondaga County/Syracuse Commission on Human Rights

  The Onondaga County/Syracuse Commission on Human Rights handles discrimination complaints. Content Detail

• Orange County Human Rights Commission

  You may file a complaint with the Orange County Human Rights Commission staff if you are a resident of Orange County or are employed in Orange County and believe that you have been the victim of discrimination either in your employment, housing or a public accommodation because of your race or color, national origin, creed, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest and/or conviction record or your genetic predisposition or carrier status. Content Detail

• Rockland County Commission on Human Rights

  The Commission receives and investigates complaints of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability in education, employment, housing, and public accommodations. The staff conciliates, holds hearings, and conducts educational programs for the public, and provides training and technical assistance. The Commission is mandated to act in an ombudsman role to monitor community situations that are discriminatory in nature. This agency does not yet have a web site. You can contact this agency by calling (914) 638-5590. Content Detail

• Schenectady County Human Rights Commission

  The Commission staff assists with complaints of discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, military status, age, marital status, disability, prior arrest or conviction record and predisposing genetic characteristics. Content Detail

• Suffolk County Human Rights Commission (SCHRC)

  The Suffolk County Human Rights Commission (SCHRC) is a county agency that enforces the various laws against discrimination. Content Detail

• Sullivan County Human Rights Commission

  The Human Rights Commission was created to foster good relationships among communities and groups of people in Sullivan County. You can file discrimination complaints with this agency. Content Detail

• Tompkins County Human Rights Commission

  The Tompkins County Office of Human Rights offers telephone or in-office consultation regarding questions of rights, disputes, alleged violation of anti-discrimination laws which provide protection in the areas of employment, housing, credit, places of public accommodations, volunteer firefighting, and non-sectarian educational institutions, based on age, creed, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability, military status, arrest record, conviction record, predisposing genetic characteristics, familial status (in housing only) and domestic workers (in employment only).The Office of Human Rights attempts to conciliate disputes on the local level and to assist complainants filing formal complaints with state or federal agencies. Confidentiality is protected. Any individual who resides or works in Tompkins County may use these services without a fee. Content Detail

• Ulster County Human Rights Commission

  The Human Relations Commission exists to foster respect for the rights of all citizens and to explore opportunities for improving relations among all people of Ulster County. Services include: - Telephone consultation with individuals who believe that their human rights have been violated in any of the following areas: employment, housing, public accommodation, education, credit - Assistance in preparing and filing a complaint with the NYS Division of Human Rights for individuals who believe that they have been discriminated against because of their race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital or familial status, or arrest/conviction record. Content Detail

Same-sex marriage (3)+

• Couples and families

  The lives of many LGBTQ-immigrant couples changed forever on June 26, 2013, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples can file marriage-based green card petitions. Some restrictions still remain, however. Follow this link to learn more. Content Detail

  By:

  Immigration Equality

• Know Your Rights: Frequently Asked Questions about New York's Marriage Equality Act

  Now that same-sex couples have the freedom to marry in New York and their marriages will be recognized by the federal government, the NYCLU has compiled a guide to answer some frequently asked questions about the Marriage Equality Act in 2011 and the impact of the 2013 Supreme Court decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act. Content Detail

  By:

  New York Civil Liberties Union

• Marriage Equality in New York City: Questions and Answers for Same-Sex Couples and All Those Who Wish to Marry Here

  New York's Marriage Equality Act allows same-sex couples to marry legally in New York. Learn about the steps you need to take to get married in New York City. Content Detail

  By:

  City of New York - Office of the City Clerk

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

I identify as LGBTQ (7)+

• Healthcare Rights of Trans Youth in New York City

  Content Detail

  By:

  Sylvia Rivera Law Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Know Your Rights: A Guide to NYC Employment Laws for LGBT Workers

  This pamphlet is designed to provide general legal information to LGBT individuals who have questions about their workplace rights and employment laws applicable in New York City. Content Detail

  By:

  New York City Bar Association

• Know Your Rights - LBGTQ Youth In Out-Of-Home Care

  If you are in LBGTQ youth in out-of-home care, you are entitled to certain rights. Learn about them here! Content Detail

• Marriage Equality FAQ

  The Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges guarantees to same-sex couples throughout the nation the freedom to marry and the right to recognition of their marriages. We have much to celebrate with this affirmation of the dignity, liberty and equality of same-sex couples, and the LGBT individuals who are part of those couples, under our federal Constitution. Loving and committed couples and their families in every state and territory are now entitled to the far-reaching legal protections and respect for their relationships conferred through marriage. Our organizations will be working in the days and months ahead as the Supreme Court’s decision is implemented throughout the land. These fact sheets offer guidance on common questions. Content Detail

  By:

  American Civil Liberties Union, Freedom to Marry, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal and National Center for Lesbian Rights

• Out, Safe and Respected: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights at School

  National, but with information helpful to New Yorkers Content Detail

  By:

  Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Sexual Orientation Discrimination - Your Rights

  The Westchester County Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, employment, public accommodation, and credit. This means that it is against the law for you to be treated differently or otherwise denied the rights and privileges extended to others on the basis of sexual orientation. The law also prohibits discrimination on the basis of "perceived" sexual orientation, meaning that the law protects you if you are subjected to discrimination because someone makes an erroneous presumption about your sexual orientation. Content Detail

  By:

  Westchester County Human Rights Commission

• Transgender Rights and the Department of Homeless Services

  The rights of transgender and gender nonconforming people living in homeless shelters. Content Detail

  By:

  Sylvia Rivera Law Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Work and public benefits (4)+

• Gender Identity Discrimination

  Provides helpful information defining gender identity discrimination and federal and local laws prohibiting this kind discrimination, guidance for filing a complaint, and links to related resources. Content Detail

  By:

  Workplace Fairness

• Out at Work

  Information for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender-nonconforming people. Covers laws nationwide but has information helpful to New Yorkers. Content Detail

  By:

  Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc.

• Sexual Orientation Discrimination

  Provides information defining sexual orientation discrimination, federal and local laws prohibiting this kind of discrimination, guidance for filing a complaint, and links to related resources. Content Detail

  By:

  Workplace Fairness

• Transgender Employees in New York-Protect Yourself at Work

  This resource provides an overview of transgender employee rights in New York. Content Detail

  By:

  Sylvia Rivera Law Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

More information (1)+

• Resources for Former Prisoners - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender People

  This PDF is a comprehensive directory of services available in the metropolitan New York City area to the LGBT community. Content Detail

  By:

  The City of New York Office of the Comptroller