The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA) is a New York law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit, and the exercise of civil rights.
[2] On December 17, 2002, the Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 34 to 26; it was signed into law by Governor George Pataki the same day.
[3][4] SONDA prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation in employment; admission to and use of places of public accommodation, resort, or amusement; admission to and use of educational institutions; publicly assisted housing; private housing accommodations and commercial space; and credit.
[1] SONDA also prohibits discrimination and/or harassment on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation in the exercise of an individual's civil rights.
[1] Institutions that are "religious or denominational", together with organizations "operated for charitable or educational purposes", are exempted from the provisions of SONDA.