New York
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Kirsten Gillibrand (D) |
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New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States, and is the country's third most populous state with a population of about 19 million.
New York City, which is the largest city (with a population of about 8 million) in the United States, is known for its history as a gateway for immigration to the United States and its status as a financial, cultural, transportation, and manufacturing center.
History
New York was inhabited by the Algonquian, Iroquois, and Lenape Native American groups when Dutch and French settlers moved into the region in the early 17th century. First claimed by Henry Hudson in 1609, the area established Dutch forts at Fort Orange, near the present-day capital of Albany, in 1614, and was colonized by the Dutch in 1624 at both Albany and Manhattan; it later came under British control in 1664. Approximately one third of all battles during the Revolutionary War occurred in New York. New York became an independent state on July 9, 1776, and enacted its constitution in 1777. The state ratified the United States Constitution on July 26, 1788, becoming the 11th state. According to the US Department of Commerce, it is also the preferred state for international visitors, surpassing both Florida and California in tourism.
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in New York state
Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in New York State are predominantly supportive, bolstered by comprehensive legal protections, progressive public opinion, and a vibrant advocacy landscape. However, challenges persist, particularly in certain localities and among specific populations.
- Public Opinion
New Yorkers exhibit strong support for LGBTQ+ rights:
- Same-Sex Marriage: A 2022 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) poll found that 75% of New York residents supported same-sex marriage, up from 69% in 2017.
- Nondiscrimination Protections: The same 2022 PRRI poll indicated that 82% of New Yorkers favored laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing.
Additionally, New York has one of the highest proportions of LGBTQ+ residents in the U.S., with 12% identifying as LGBTQ+.
- Legal Protections and Policies
New York State is recognized for its robust legal framework supporting LGBTQ+ rights:
- Comprehensive Nondiscrimination Laws: The New York Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education.
- Gender Identity Protections: In 2019, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA) was enacted, explicitly adding gender identity and expression as protected categories under the Human Rights Law.
- Constitutional Amendment: In 2024, New York voters approved a constitutional amendment (Proposition 1) to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and other attributes.
- Policy Tally: According to the Movement Advancement Project, New York scores 44.5 out of 49 in its LGBTQ+ policy tally, reflecting strong legal protections.
- Education and Youth Experiences
Despite supportive laws, LGBTQ+ youth in New York face challenges:
- School Climate: A 2019 GLSEN survey reported that 25% of LGBTQ+ students, and over 50% of transgender students, were unable to use school bathrooms aligning with their gender identity. Additionally, 20% of LGBTQ+ students were prevented from using their chosen names or pronouns.
- Disciplinary Disparities: 21% of LGBTQ+ students were disciplined for public displays of affection that did not result in similar action for non-LGBTQ+ students.
- Community and Advocacy
New York boasts a vibrant LGBTQ+ community with active advocacy:
- Cultural Hubs: Cities like New York City, Rochester, and Albany host numerous LGBTQ+ events, including the NYC Pride March and various community centers.
- Advocacy Organizations: Groups such as the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and Empire Justice Center provide legal assistance and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
- Recent Events: In May 2025, Family Equality's annual Night at the Pier gala in New York City celebrated advocates of LGBTQ+ family rights, raising $1.5 million for efforts to promote legal and social protections for LGBTQ+ families.
- Ongoing Challenges
While New York is progressive in many respects, certain issues persist:
Local Discrimination: In 2024, Nassau County implemented a ban on transgender women and girls participating in girls' and women's sports in public facilities, leading to legal challenges and public protests.
- Violence Against Transgender Individuals: The 2025 killing of Sam Nordquist, a Black transgender man in Albany, highlighted ongoing violence and discrimination faced by transgender individuals, particularly transgender people of color.
History of the New York Flag
The New York State Flag features a dark blue background with the state's coat of arms prominently displayed in the center. The coat of arms includes a shield at its center. Inside the shield is a scene composed of blue water, grassy land, three green mountains, a blue sky, and a bright yellow sun. A masted ship and a sailboat navigate the blue water, representing the Hudson River and commerce. The bright sun symbolizes the promising future of the state. Two women support the shield, one on each side. On the left side of the shield is a woman dressed in blue with a red cape, holding a staff topped with a liberty cap and stepping on a gold crown. On the right side is a blindfolded woman dressed in orange, holding a scale in her left hand and a sword in her right. The woman on the left represents liberty, and she steps on the crown, signifying independence from British rule. The woman on the right symbolizes justice; her blindfold represents impartiality, and she holds a scale in one hand, signifying the scales of justice, while the sword in her other hand represents supreme power. Beneath the shield is a white banner with black text that reads, "Excelsior" (which means "higher" or "superior"). Above the shield is an eagle perched on a globe with its wings spread. The eagle symbolizes the United States; its position and posture over the globe represent dominance and power on the world stage. The flag featuring the coat of arms design has been in use since 1778; however, the current design of the New York State Flag was adopted on April 1st, 1901, when New York's leadership changed the background color from buff to blue.
New York is located in the Northeastern region of the United States and shares borders with Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Canada, and the Atlantic Ocean. The capital city is Albany; however, the largest city is New York City, which is the most populated city in the US. New York City, considered by many to be the financial, media, and cultural capital of the world, is comprised of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. The city is commonly referred to as "The Big Apple" and "The City that Never Sleeps." The name "New York" was chosen by the British in honor of the Duke of York (James Stuart, the second son of Charles I). New York is nicknamed "The Empire State" due to its tremendous wealth, resources, and global importance.
New York was originally inhabited by two major groups of Native Americans: the Iroquois and the Algonquian people. The Iroquois tribes included the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga, and Seneca. The first European to arrive in the area was British explorer Henry Hudson, who was seeking land for the Dutch. Henry Hudson founded New York Bay and the Hudson River, and as a result, the surrounding area and land were claimed by the Dutch, who began to settle there shortly after. The first establishment was Fort Nassau in 1614, followed by Fort Orange (now known as Albany) in 1624 and Fort Amsterdam (now known as New York City) in 1625. In 1664, an English fleet arrived, taking control of the area, and the city was renamed New York. Following the Revolutionary War and the thirteen colonies' revolt against British rule, New York officially became the 11th state on July 26th, 1788.
The New York spanking scene
- Loïc Dubigeon, French artist of erotic BDSM and spanking art, had an exhibition in New York.
- Eric Stanton's only art exhibition was in 1984 at the Danceteria club in New York City.
- Bum Rap Productions have their headquarters in Jersey City, New York.
- Bethany Burke, spanking author and spanking video producer, lives in New York.
- Nick Harmon, gay porn star and producer of M/M spanking videos, lives in New York.
- Spanking Club of New York (SCONY)
- The Anvil (Gay club) ( inactive as of 1985 R/ )
One of the most famous New York S&M clubs, now gone, was The Vault (at 14th Street and 9th Avenue). After Madonna shot parts of her Sex book there, it became a trendy, more mainstream celebrity hangout, attracting the likes of Heather Locklear, Robert Downey Jr., Tommy Lee, and Pam Anderson. The Sex book includes a photo of a topless Madonna in leather cap, pants, and boots flogging a bound woman in a latex outfit.
See also
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:New York ]
External links
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