Discrimination against transgender people is costing New York millions, according to a new report.

The study, released yesterday by the UCLA’s Williams Institute, says that housing and employment discrimination cost the state millions of dollars as people lean on public assistance instead.

According to the study, workplace discrimination could cost the state about $7 million each year.

The report estimates about 58,000 New Yorkers are transgender and said 59 percent are covered under local anti-discrimination statutes.

But that leaves about 23,800 people unprotected, according to the study.

“It shocks the conscience that nearly 24,000 New Yorkers can be fired from their jobs or be evicted from their homes merely because of their gender identity or expression,” state senator Brad Hoylman said today.

The group said that people report losing their jobs because of bias, which means not only lost wages but losing health insurance coverage and housing instability.

This results in higher public assistance and housing program spending, the study argued.

In the report, 19 percent of New Yorkers in the study said they were denied a home or apartment because of anti-transgender bias.

The report also argued transgender people would contribute taxes if they were not fired for being transgender.

Holyman said that the state should pass an anti-discrimination law he supports that would cover the 23,800 transgender people he says are not protected by such a rule.

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A group of fraternity brothers in Boston are proving that frats can do more than throw crazy ragers. At a time when college fraternities are getting a bad rap for the things they do, a group of guys is stepping up for a good cause.

Member of Emerson College’s Phi Alpha Tau fraternity started an Indiegogo page to raise funds to pay for a transgender brother’s sex reassignment surgery.

Once prospective brother Donnie Collins, who was born female but identifies as male, announced he was denied financial support from his insurance for top surgery, his brothers took it upon themselves to help.

With Collins’ surgery already schedule for May 2013, the “communicative arts” fraternity started raising money.

The initial goal was quickly surpassed and at on Monday, the brothers upped the goal to $8,100. As of Tuesday afternoon they brothers have exceeded that goal. With almost $11,000 and 40 days of campaigning to go, the fraternity is discussing what to do with the rest of the money.

In the video one of the brothers, Christian Bergren-Aragon, said that beyond raising money, they want to start a conversation through this campaign.

“It’s very different campaign we’re trying to run here. We’re looking to tell a story more so than raise money. We’d much rather have 100 people donate $10 than 10 people donate $100,” one of the Bergren-Aragon said.

In addition to donating money, the Indiegogo page also recommends sharing the campaign, reaching out to those personally connected to this issue and making noise around the world.

“We’re here less to raise money, and more to tell a story. The story of transformation, of self-discovery, and the story of brotherhood,” the men write on the site.

The video ends with one of the brothers declaring “much love.” That’s how we feel about this campaign – so much love.

To donate to the cause click here.

Follow Mary Ann Georgantopoulos on Twitter @marygeorgant

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