Gov. Cuomo Outlaws Hair Discrimination In New York

New York State has passed a new law that bans race discrimination against natural hair.

Vogue reports that New York State is following California when for a new anti-discrimination law. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a new bill into law on July 12, 2019, to prohibit race discrimination based on natural hair or hairstyles. This is an amendment to the Human Rights Law and Dignity for All Students Act in New York. This states that racial discrimination extends to traits that are historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective styles.

According to Vogue, California passed similar legislation on July 3, 2019, making it the first state to ever do so. Studies show that 80% of black women are likely to change their natural hair to conform to societal norms. The New York Commission of Human Rights also counts this as a victory, which set guidelines in February 2019 to protect citizens' rights to wear their natural hair.

Governor Cuomo said, "For much of our nation's history, people of color—particularly women—have been marginalized and discriminated against simply because of their hair style or texture. By signing this bill into law, we are taking an important step toward correcting that history and ensuring people of color are protected from all forms of discrimination," according to Vogue.

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