Nevada lawmakers ban transgender discrimination

Bills outlawing discrimination against transgender people in housing and public accommodations won final approval from the Nevada Legislature on May 24.

The bills go next to the desk of Gov. Brian Sandoval, who’s expected to sign them into law, making his state the 13th to provide protections based on gender identity and expression in housing and public accommodations.

Washington, D.C., also has transgender-inclusive discrimination laws.

“We congratulate the Nevada legislature for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all Nevadans,” said Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese. “An individual’s gender identity and expression should never be the basis for determining access to housing or public accommodations. We urge Gov. Sandoval to swiftly sign these bills into law.”

The public accommodations bill prohibits hotels, restaurants and bars from discriminating against transgender people. The bill makes an exception to allow bars to host gender-based promotions such as ladies night.

The other bill bans discrimination against transgenders in renting or buying a home. Both bills passed 29-13 with all 26 Democrats and three Republicans voting in favor.

Transgender people make up an estimated 1 percent of the state’s population.