Discrimination protections in credit, housing, employment, education, and public accommodation have explicitly included sexual orientation since 2003 and gender identity or expression since 2019.

[4][5][6][7] In 2024, the Constitution of New York was amended to explicitly ban discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation following a successful ballot measure.

[12] Adultery until November 2024[13] was a “criminal offense and felony” in New York, and applies equally to all married couples (including within a same-sex marriage).

[21] In May 2008, Governor David Paterson issued an executive directive for all state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.

[31][32] In February 2021, it was announced by Governor Andrew Cuomo that insurance policy coverage must cover same-sex couples for IVF, surrogacy and/or other fertility treatments.

Currently within New York City health insurance providers provides only heterosexual and female same-sex couples are costs covered and reimbursed - but not for male gay couples who have to pay the "full pocket cost amounts" with no coverage and reimbursement whatsoever, amounting to an indirect "gay tax".

SONDA "prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit, and the exercise of civil rights."

[36] On December 16, 2009, Governor David Paterson issued an executive order banning discrimination based on gender identity in state employment.

[41][42] Previously, in the absence of a statewide law, the counties of Suffolk, Tompkins, and Westchester, along with the cities of New York, Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Ithaca, Syracuse and Rochester passed non-discrimination ordinances protecting gender identity.

In addition, on October 22, 2015, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he would direct the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR) to promulgate regulations banning harassment and discrimination against transgender individuals in employment, housing, education, access to credit, and public accommodations.

[46] On July 31, 2019, a new law implemented removed a loophole that did not legally protect students on discrimination, human rights and bullying within New York State.

[47] In June 2019, the New York State Legislature passed a bill to repeal the common law gay and transgender panic defense.

[50][51][42][52][53] In November 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a pair of anti-bias bills - to reform comprehensive hate crime legislation and repeal loopholes.

[56][57] In August 2020, it was reported by Gay City News that a doctor was fined tens of thousands of dollars by a New York Manhattan court judge for denying plastic surgery to three men that he believed to be HIV-positive.

[58] In June 2023, a bill passed unanimously within both houses of the New York State Legislature to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity - within inclusive drug treatment and addiction programs.

This archaic loitering law, Section 240.37 of the New York State Penal Code, had been used by police officers to harass and arrest transgender individuals since its 1976 inception.

[96] On June 16, 2014, the New York State Assembly voted 86–28 to pass a bill that would have prohibited health care providers from attempting to change the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of minors.

[99][100][101][102][103][104] On February 6, 2016, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced regulations that ban public and private healthcare insurers from covering the practice and prohibit mental health facilities across the state from performing it.

[109][110] Prior to statewide prohibition, the following jurisdictions had enacted conversion therapy bans: New York has one of the largest LGBTQ populations in the United States, and the world.

Fire Island Pines and Cherry Grove are famous internationally as gay holiday resorts with a thriving LGBT scene.

Various organizations were established for LGBT people to advocate for rights and provide human services, the impact of which was increasingly felt at the state level.

Simultaneously with legal reforms ongoing in the state, societal and public attitudes toward the LGBT community also evolved, going from general antipathy and hostility to tolerance and acceptance.

[125][126] On May 30, 2012, in the case of Yonaty v. Mincolla, a unanimous four-judge panel of the New York Appellate Division held that labeling someone "gay" or a "homosexual" can no longer be grounds for defamation.

"[127][128] In February 2022, it was reported that Staten Island St Patrick's Day parade still legally bans LGBT individuals from marching.

[131][132] A 2017 Public Religion Research Institute poll found that 69% of New York residents supported same-sex marriage, while 24% were opposed and 7% were unsure.

A 2022 Public Religion Research Institute poll found that 75% of New York residents supported same-sex marriage, while 21% were opposed and 3% were unsure.