Obama/Biden is hiring -- and bans discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (+)
by: Pam Spaulding
Fri Nov 07, 2008 at 17:00:00 PM EST

http://pamshouseblend.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=DFBA75F699609C35F49642CDC20682A8?diaryId=8078

    The Obama-Biden Transition Project does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by law.

Yes, look at that. Right out of the box the incoming administration is sending a signal that change is truly in the air. The application at the project's Change.gov site is clear.

The ACLU was quick with a statement (via email):

    "As the new Administration gears up, it should be focused on hiring the best people for the job. By including sexual orientation and gender identity in its non-discrimination policy, the Obama-Biden transition team makes clear that it will focus on the relevant qualities that actually predict an applicant's success on the job - professional experience, character, skills and education. President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden, by explicitly rejecting the bigotry and intolerance of the past, are committing that gay, lesbian, and transgender professionals can serve in government without fear of discrimination.  This is a critical next step in securing the basic rights of LGBT community.

It's unlikely they will achieve legislation to do the same on a federal level, but it's encouraging to at least see that they hold *themselves* to the ideal standard.

Quote from: Kaelin on November 09, 2008, 12:02:03 AM
It's unlikely they will achieve legislation to do the same on a federal level, but it's encouraging to at least see that they hold *themselves* to the ideal standard.

While it may or may not help ENDA, it's been a policy and in the personnel regulations of the federal government, which applies to all government employees including appointees, for nearly a decade now. It was a Clinton-era policy and implemented late in his second term. The problem is that it wasn't widely practiced throughout the federal agencies except for show. Discrimination simply became more subtle and often supported by senior and human resources managers. It was only a decoration on a cake, and the cake, with some exceptions, stayed the same. That's because it's about people, not policies, regulations and laws. But it's good to see it emphasized now.

I already filled out the preliminary forms for a job in the Obama administration.. I probably have a better chance at winning the lottery, but it's worth a shot.