Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, NY, USA
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May 12, 2008
Victory! TLDEF Settles Landmark Farmer v. Caliente Cab Restaurant Lawsuit
Dear friends and supporters,
We're thrilled to be able to break the news to you first: we've
reached a very favorable settlement on behalf of TLDEF client Khadijah
Farmer in her landmark lawsuit against Caliente Cab Restaurant
Company. As part of the settlement, Caliente has agreed to, among
other things:
* add gender, including gender identity and expression, to its
corporate non-discrimination policy;
* amend its employee handbook to state that "persons patronizing
or employed at Caliente have the right to use the bathroom facilities
consistent with their gender identity and expression;"
* adopt a gender-neutral dress code for its employees;
* institute personnel training programs regarding its new policies; and
* pay $35,000 in damages to Khadijah.
On the night of June 24, 2007, after New York's LGBT Pride March,
Khadijah, her girlfriend and another friend went to Caliente Cab. When
Khadijah went to use the women's restroom, the restaurant's bouncer
followed her in, pounded on the door of the stall she was using and
proceeded to throw her out of the bathroom and the restaurant, despite
her attempts to show him her identification demonstrating that she is
female.
Many transgender and gender non-conforming people experience
harassment and discrimination when trying to access sex-segregated
facilities like bathrooms. Khadijah's case highlights the deeply
interconnected nature of the struggle for transgender rights and
lesbian and gay rights. Gender expression discrimination can affect
anyone -- transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual or straight.
The settlement sends a clear message that discrimination on the basis
of gender expression will not be tolerated. "I'm very happy that the
restaurant has taken appropriate steps to ensure that all patrons,
regardless of how masculine or feminine they appear, are treated with
dignity and respect," Khadijah said of the settlement. "People come in
all shapes and sizes, and they shouldn't be discriminated against
because they don't match someone's expectations of how masculine or
feminine they should be."
We couldn't have said it any better. We're delighted to share this
news with you. Please check our website at
www.transgenderlegal.orgfor up-to-the-minute coverage of Khadijah's case.
Best wishes,
Michael Silverman
Executive Director
PS Khadijah is going to speak about her case at TLDEF's Third
Anniversary Benefit on June 10th. This is a great time to buy your
ticket to ensure that you'll be there to celebrate with us!
Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund | 216 Avenue A | New York |
NY | 10009
