WHEREAS, New York State has always been in the forefront of the struggle for equal rights, including the right of every person to participate in all aspects of our society on an equal basis; and
WHEREAS, our commitment to the equality of all persons is clearly expressed in the laws and public policy of this State, it is the responsibility of all officials in the Executive Branch to see to it that this strong commitment is met; and
WHEREAS, exclusion of persons because of their age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability or marital status, as full members of private establishments where business and professional and public events are conducted discriminate against those persons and serves to disadvantage them, and patronage of such establishments encourages the continuation of such discrimination;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mario M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, direct that State officials and employees shall not sponsor, organize, attend or participate in any meeting or other activity, the purpose of which is related to State business, in any private establishment or facility which does not afford full membership rights and privileges to any person because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sex, disability or marital status.
Signed: Mario M. Cuomo
Dated: May 31, 1983
N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 4.17