Bayside Pol's Bill Tackles Discrimination Against LGBTQ Seniors

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — City Council Member Paul Vallone will introduce a bill today to require anti-discrimination training for workers at senior centers.

Vallone's bill calls for senior center employees to receive mandatory training in preventing and eliminating discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill also requires training refreshers every three years.

Vallone, who represents northeast Queens, drafted the legislation in collaboration with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., a spokesperson for Vallone told Patch.

"Our city's older adults deserve to age in grace and dignity," said Vallone, a member of the City Council's Committee on Aging.

The new rules would apply to senior center workers who have "significant and direct person-to-person contact with senior citizens," the bill states, and other contractors with the NYC Department for the Aging.

The Department for the Aging's commissioner would decide which employees meet that standard, the spokesperson said.

If the bill passes, senior centers would have to host at least two annual educational sessions on how to report discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.

"By codifying into law anti-discrimination training for senior service providers on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, we will help ensure our city's elder population feels safe in the centers and facilities they rely upon for health, educational and social services," Vallone added.