Transgender advocates rallied in Smithtown Saturday after the state Senate failed to bring the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act to a vote before the end of the legislative session.

The state Assembly passed the GENDA bill for the ninth year in a row and Gov. Cuomo has also voiced his support for the bill. The proposal would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or expression and includes offenses regarding gender identity or expression under the hate crimes statute.

"Transgender people do not have an explicit law protecting them against discrimination in employment housing and public accommodations," said Juli Grey-Owens, of the LI Transgender Advocacy Coalition.

The demonstration took place outside state Sen. John Flanagan's office in Smithtown. News 12 was told that Flanagan could not comment because he was up late in session in Albany.

Advocates say Suffolk has already changed the language in the county's civil rights laws to protect transgender people. They say they are still trying to get Nassau to do the same.