Important note for those working in DC

[seldom]

DC has a very strong law regarding gender identity.  The regulations are even stronger.  Check your health insurance plans if you do not work for the federal government.  If they still have the exclusion regarding gender identity disorder or regarding sex change surgery/HRT, the employer MUST notify the health insurance company and change the policy.  Effective on October 26, 2006 this regulation came into effect:

Title 4 DCMR Chapter 8
803  ACCOMMODATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE NEEDS 
When requested by the employee, an employer shall make reasonable  accommodations (including medical leave) for transgender-related health  care needs that are consistent with such accommodations that are provided  for other medical needs.  Such needs include but are not limited to medical  or counseling appointments, surgery, recovery from surgery, and any other  transgender-related procedures.   


Basically if they provide health insurance, the health insurance has to cover TS and everything that goes along with it. 

In other words, no more discriminatory exclusions.  The one thing is the burde n is on you to notify the proper person at your employer.  I did so already. 

[carol_w]

Amy,

Thanks for letting us know!  In case I move, I know where I wanna go.

I know that the DC area is a terribly expensive place to live, but
to have SURGERY paid for?  As the Master Card commercial says, "Priceless".

Carol

[cindianna_jones]

How delightful! I am so thrilled to hear this.  Is this a first in the country? You know, in a couple of generations or so, this GID thing won't be a big deal I bet for most people.  I was born 50 years too soon.

Cindi

[Krisstina]

How delightful! I am so thrilled to hear this.  Is this a first in the country?

Yes that sounds like real progress is it the only state???

[Suzy]

Anybody hiring in DC?

Kristi

[seldom]

DC's Human Rights Act and subsequent regulations are way ahead of the rest of the country. 

However there are 9 States and 86 Municipalities and Counties that protect workplace discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

DC has the strongest, but the law passed in 2005.

The first State was Minnesota. 
States with gender identity laws: IL, MN, NJ, Maine, New Mexico, California, Washington, DC (even though its not technically a state) and Hawaii

There is a list of cities too. 

But of all of them, DC is by far the strongest. 


A job in DC, well that is another issue altogether.  I wish I could tell you some good advice.  The only advice I can give is to get a graduate degree in something related to policy. 

[LostInTime]

And whatever you do, don't actually live in DC, just work there.  Much safer that way. 

[seldom]

Actually DC is rather safe as long as you stay in the west.  (the city is segmented into four sections).

A little update.  I found out the regulations do not apply to health insurance, but the act itself may.  I stress may, because nobody has yet to really bring this up in court and litigate this issue.  The thing is it may come up in court eventually.