To the editor:

In the past several years, we have seen an outpouring of hate, attempts at overt discrimination, and attempted rollback of basic human rights protections on the federal level. We are facing a potential crisis in the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn issues previously deemed “settled law” in terms of women’s health issues, abortion, marriage equality and basic LGBTQ civil rights protections. We’ve seen attempts to ban members of the transgender community from serving openly in the military as well as prohibiting use of public accommodation facilities based on lies and fears of homophobic and transphobic hate groups bent on our elimination from society. The federal government has tried to issue guidance that LGBTQ people are not covered under federal anti-discrimination laws, opening the gates to all forms of discrimination in all aspects of our lives, including housing, employment, medical care and insurance coverage. We’ve seen repeated civil rights violations with our immigrant neighbors and native peoples.

Rather than focusing on the negatives that exists in our society today, we need to find ways to come together to promote diversity, unity, peace, acceptance and understanding with our neighbors.

In the past two years, New York state has passed several new and very important laws codifying very important rights and protections for our LGBTQI+ community. What are those new laws and protections, and what are the implications they hold for our community? How will these new laws enhance our lives and those of our families here in New York state?

Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance is proud to announce our co-sponsorship with the New York State Division of Human Rights and our regional community co-sponsors in presenting the October 2020 edition of the NYS Know Your Rights forum. This virtual Zoom session will include a broad discussion about New York state Human Rights Law and the protections it provides New York state citizens against discrimination and harassment.

Registration for this event will be capped at 100 attendees; additional attendees will be wait-listed.

Date: Thursday, Oct. 22. Time: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Register for this event at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYlcO-hrzstE9FGzuf3KXYMDYiU_R5cNLPZ.

The purpose of this program is to inform community members of their legal rights and how to identify and approach a situation in which their rights may have been violated. This information is especially important in rural communities, where resources are scarce and this type of information is less readily available.

There will be break-out sessions focusing on real-life scenarios and ways of addressing those particular issues, including next-step options.

This forum is in response to the continued violation of the rights of marginalized communities and seeks to inform people of the knowledge they need to take the appropriate action if or when their rights are violated.

We welcome everyone in the Adirondack North Country community to register early and participate in our virtual “Know Your Rights” program as citizens in New York state.

Kelly Metzgar

Executive Director

Adirondack North Country Gender Alliance

Saranac Lake