In the case Hernandez v. Robles (2006), 44 same-sex couples challenged New York State’s Domestic Relations Law after being denied marriage licenses. Lower courts upheld the statute, and the New York Court of Appeals affirmed, holding that the legislature could restrict civil marriage to opposite-sex couples. The Court concluded that the statute did not violate state or federal equal protection under the standards applied.

The Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVJSA) allows New York courts to impose reduced or alternative sentences and to resentence incarcerated individuals, when documented domestic abuse significantly contributed to the offense and a standard sentence would be unduly harsh. Penal Law § 70.45 provides the determinate-sentencing framework that courts may depart from under the Act. Penal Law § 60.1

In the case People v. Alonzo, the defendant was charged with several counts of sexual abuse based on multiple groping acts committed against two women during a single, brief encounter. The issue before the Court of Appeals was whether each individual touch could be prosecuted as a separate offense or whether the conduct amounted to one continuous act per victim.

In Breest v. Haggis (1st Dep’t 2019), the plaintiff brought civil claims under the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act (VGMVPA), asserting that a well-known filmmaker sexually assaulted her and that the assault constituted “a crime of violence motivated by gender.” The defendants moved to dismiss, arguing that the complaint did not adequately allege that gender bias was a motivating factor.

In the case O’Rourke v. National Foreign Trade Council, Inc., 176 A.D.3d 517 (1st Dept. 2019), a nonprofit employee alleged that her supervisor made gender-based derogatory remarks, such as: “you women are such delicate flowers” and “I only support humble and meek women.” The supervisor also removed her responsibilities, excluded her from projects after she complained, and undermined her role.

In Cole v. Cole, 35 N.Y.3d 1012 (2020), the New York Court of Appeals reviewed a mother’s challenge to a custody award favoring the father under Domestic Relations Law § 240(1)(a).

In People v. Ava OO. (2024), the defendant was previously convicted of second-degree robbery. She pleaded guilty as part of a deal, and then sought relief under the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA) (Penal Law § 60.12). The defendant claimed that severe domestic and sexual abuse by a romantic partner significantly contributed to the crime.

In the case Emilee Carpenter LLC v. James, a professional photographer, Emilee Carpenter, challenged New York’s public-accommodations statutes (under the Human Rights Law and Civil Rights Law) after indicating that she would refuse to provide wedding-photography services for same-sex couples due to her religious and personal beliefs about marriage.

New York Labor Law § 201-g requires every employer in New York State to maintain a written sexual-harassment prevention policy that meets minimum statewide standards. The policy must explain prohibited conduct, outline how workers can file complaints, describe the employer’s duty to investigate, and state that retaliation is unlawful. Employers must distribute the policy in writing to all workers and ensure that new hires receive it promptly.

Article 24 of New York State Public Health law requires health insurers in New York State to provide full coverage for breast-cancer screening and follow-up imaging without patient cost-sharing. This includes screening mammography (digital and tomosynthesis) and breast ultrasounds when clinically indicated for individuals who meet age or risk-based guidelines. By eliminating co-pays and deductibles, the law removes a significant financial barrier that historically limited early detection, particularly for individuals with low income or inconsistent insurance access.