Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger last week signed the “Drag is Not a Crime Act” into law, and was joined by the law’s sponsor, Legislator Peter Criswell (District 7- City of Kingston), the Vice Chair of the Legislature. The local law, which amends the County’s human rights law, passed the Legislature unanimously on July 18, 2023.

“I’m proud to sign this law to guarantee protections for gender expression here in Ulster County,” said County Executive Jen Metzger. “We have seen a tidal wave of discriminatory legislation against the LGBTQ+ community around the country, 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.”

“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. I am 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,” said Vice Chair Peter Criswell (District 7 – City of Kingston).

The local law amends Ulster County’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.