"WHEREAS, New York State is a national leader in protecting the civil rights and liberties of all of its citizens;
WHEREAS, New York State in 1945 enacted the first state law against discrimination in the nation, which now prohibits discrimination on many bases including age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, marital status, and disability;
WHEREAS, protecting the civil rights and liberties of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons is a compelling state sanctioned government interest;
WHEREAS, protecting New York State from inadvertently financing discrimination against LGBT people is a compelling state sanctioned government interest;
WHEREAS, the State of Indiana has enacted legislation to protect religious freedom, but does not expressly prohibit discrimination against LGBT citizens;
WHEREAS, the exercise of religious freedom should not be a justification for discrimination based upon sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, or other protected classes;
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the state of New York to promote fairness, protect the welfare of the citizens of the state of New York, and combat discrimination;
NOW THEREFORE, I ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by my office, the New York State Constitution, and the Statutes of the state of New York, do hereby ORDER AND DIRECT
- All agencies, departments, boards, authorities and commissions to review all requests for state funded or state sponsored travel to the state of Indiana so long as there is law in effect there that creates the grounds for discrimination against LGBT citizens.
- To bar any such publically funded or publically sponsored travel to such location, unless such travel is necessary for the enforcement of New York State law, to meet prior contractual obligations, or for the protection of public health, welfare, and safety;
- New York State’s ban on publically funded travel shall take effect immediately and shall continue while such law remains in effect."
