Filed by: Dr. Jillian T. Weiss
December 26, 2008 2:30 PM
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bilerico.com%2Fimages%2Fbilericologo.jpg&hash=5c874cb819f64499112b42c1b683f4f657cd303f) (http://www.bilerico.com/2008/12/harvard_business_review_and_the_interest.php)
QuoteBravo. If the "elite" companies use the "elite" consultants to determine how gender transition ought to be accomplished, then it seems that there is little room for ordinary trans workers to express their own particular gender identity and expression. If a trans person expresses their gender identity or expression in the "wrong" way -- not in line with the theories of elite employers, elite GLBT nonprofits and elite consultants -- then they may find themselves without the protection that the elites are touting.
This is an issue that cannot be ignored, lest it undermine the whole "workplace diversity" effort. It will become more and more of an issue given the Obama transition team's inclusion of gender identity in its non-discrimination policy, a growing number of cities and states with non-discrimination laws that include gender identity, and the likelihood of a national non-discrimination law.