Transgender discrimination under Title VII

[Natasha]

Transgender discrimination under Title VII

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/business/transgender-discrimination-under-title-vii-1.1512797
6/30/13

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has been very active over the past year. One recent action, which was notable but flew somewhat under the radar, was a decision in which the agency found that a transgender woman's claim of discrimination was recognized under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act's prohibition of sex discrimination.

The case involved a police detective who applied for a crime lab position with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) while still presenting as a man. She was told she could have the job, assuming no problems arose during her background check. After the woman notified the lab's director that she was transitioning from male to female, she was told that the position had been cut, due to budget reductions. When she contacted an ATF equal employment opportunity counselor, she was informed that the position hadn't been cut, and someone else had been hired.