Lawyers in the Obama administration are currently drafting guidelines banning discrimination against Transgender federal employees. According to the New York Times:
The guidelines will be in an updated federal handbook for managers and supervisors to be distributed and posted online in the next couple of months, and they could also be included in other materials for managers. They will list transgender people — those who identify their gender differently from the information on their birth certificates — as among several groups protected by anti-discrimination laws.
On the heels of a horrifying Department of Justice brief upholding the homophobic Defense of Marriage Act, this is a great victory for all members of the LBGT community.
As a social worker who has delivered transgender inclusion trainings, I am ecstatic about the example this sets for other agencies. As a Transgender man who has faced hatred and discrimination, reading that the new administration is acknowledging part of my struggle means a lot to me.
Autumn Sandeen shares similar feelings as she recounts some of her experiences on Pam’s House Blend:
Gender identity and expression was not a protected class while I was working at the [Veterans' Association]. I could have been fired at any time for being transgender if my superiors determined that being transgender impeded me from doing my job effectively. Fortunately, that didn’t happen….So, this upcoming change in federal regulations feels very personal to me.
Obviously, winning this battle is only a part of the larger war against transphobia and homophobia. Let’s keep it going by helping Representative Barney Frank pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act that he has brought before Congress. Check out the Enclusive ENDA Facebook Campaign to take action!
Hasta la victoria, siempre! (Until victory, always)
—
Want to learn more about Transgender issues and activism? Visit:
