Gov. Kathy Hochul signed bills sponsored by Jackson Heights Assemblywoman Jessica González-Rojas and state Senator Jessica Ramos that require utility, water works and telephone companies to allow customers to use their preferred names and pronouns as well as to protect survivors of trafficking.
The bills were signed Friday, Nov. 12, during National Transgender Awareness Week.
According to González-Rojas’ office, 800,000 adults in New York are a part of the LGBTQ+ community and about 78,600 identify as transgender. Since the name changing process is costly and time-consuming, only 30% of people legally change their name.
