'Drag Is Not A Crime Act' Signed Into Ulster Law

KINGSTON, NY — A law to add gender expression to the current list of protections from discrimination was passed by the Ulster County Legislature and signed into law Friday by County Executive Jen Metzger.

“Drag Is Not a Crime Act,” which was sponsored by Legislator Peter Criswell, District 7–City of Kingston, amends the county’s human rights law.

It passed the Legislature unanimously July 18.

Metzger said she was proud to sign the law that guarantees protections for gender expression in Ulster County.

“We have seen a tidal wave of discriminatory legislation against the LGBTQ+ community around the country,” she said, “and it is important in this moment that we strengthen our human rights law to better protect LGBTQ+ individuals and make clear that Ulster County is a safe place for our residents to be who they are.”

The local law amends Ulster’s 2018 Human Rights Protection Act to include gender expression to the current list of individual protections from discrimination based on race, color, religion, ethnicity, creed, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, familial status, gender, including gender identity, gender dysphoria, transgender status, group identity, marital status, sexual orientation and disability.

Criswell said he was grateful to the county executive for signing this bill into law and to those who gave public comment, sent emails, letters and postcards and called their legislator to pass this bill.

“By passing this local law, we’ve announced to the country that Ulster County is a welcoming place for everyone to live and express themselves as they truly are without fear of discrimination,” he said.