D.C. Council weighs transgender, domestic partner bills
Trans activists requested 'more explicit' protection
By LOU CHIBBARO | Jul 6, 10:33 PM
D.C. Council members Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) and Vincent Orange (D-Ward 5) introduced a bill on July 6 that calls for adding "gender identity and expression" as a protected class under the D.C. Human Rights Act.
D.C. Council member Vincent Orange (D-Ward 5) co-sponsored a bill with gay Council member Jim Graham (D-At-large) that would add 'gender identity and expression' to the D.C. Human Rights Act. (Photo by Rudy K. Lawidjaja)
The Council's remaining 11 members signed on as co-sponsors, clearing the way for a possible unanimous approval of the bill by the 13-member Council after it comes up for a hearing.
Graham said he and Orange agreed to requests from transgender activists to make the human rights law "more explicit" in its protection for transgender residents, even though legal observers believe it already protects transgendered persons under a clause banning discrimination based on "personal appearance."
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