Gender Identity Discrimination in the Workplace gets First Hearing in Congress
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-solmonese/gender-identity-discrimin_b_109352.htmlJoe Solmonese
Posted June 26, 2008 | 09:58 AM (EST)
Today, for the first time ever, Congress is holding a hearing to educate Members of Congress exclusively on gender identity issues. This groundbreaking event should also lay the groundwork for congressional action to prohibit arbitrary discrimination against transgender Americans.
While the hearing will not focus on any particular piece of legislation, it will be an opportunity, the first opportunity, for many members of Congress to become familiar with the workplace issues facing the transgender community.
excerpt
As President of the Human Rights Campaign, I travel around the country meeting people from the GLBT community. I have heard firsthand too many stories from transgender people who have lost their jobs because of a combination of their employer's fear, ignorance and bigotry. Some are of highly skilled professionals who, though qualified and competent in their positions, suddenly become expendable when they announce the intent to live as the people they truly are.
I meet people from every walk of life -- doctors and lawyers, plumbers and bus drivers. Many are also parents and spouses, whose efforts to find secure, fulfilling employment are also a struggle to provide for their families. The time when we as a nation can tolerate arbitrary discrimination against any group of people has long since passed. That any hardworking transgender American should be denied the ability to contribute to the national economy and support his or her family is simply unacceptable.
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hmm, this all sounds good on paper if one didn't know of HRC's role in killing fully inclusive ENDA
Z
