Last week Vandy Beth Glenn, former employee of the Georgia State Assembly, testified before Congress about the gender identity discrimination she experienced and in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Thanks to GayPolitics.com for the story.
I’d like to take a moment to honor Ms. Glenn for her courage. She was fired from a job that she both loved and excelled at right as she was about to have one of the most liberating experiences of her life. She was about to step into her office and be accepted by her co-workers as Vandy instead of the male costume she had been presenting for so long. How terrible to be robbed of this, especially when it was just coming within reach.
Not only did Ms. Glenn get through it, she’s fighting back, appearing before Congress to defend the rights of Trans and Queer people to work free from discrimination because of who we are. I’ve sat on panels in classrooms and at conferences to share the story of my continual journey across the gender spectrum, but telling your story in front of Congress – wow! As devastating as I’m sure it is to continue to have to relive some of her most painful memories, I hope that Vandy Beth Glenn finds comfort in her courage. And I hope she is exilerated by the powerful impact her story is having in the quest for justice.
How can we maximize the courage of out and proud LBGTQ folks like Ms. Glenn? By making sure that a fully-inclusive ENDA (one that bans discrimination based on gender-identity as well as sexual orientation) is passed and signed into law!
Contact Senate Majority leader Harry Reid by calling 202-224-3542 or emailing him here. Thank him for his support of ENDA and encourage him to step it up by continuing to publicly advocate for ENDA!
