Baptist Press - 'Gender identity' repeal bill goes to Tenn. gov.

Baptist Press - 'Gender identity' repeal bill goes to Tenn. gov.; SBC leaders urge him to sign - News with a Christian Perspective: "In what apparently would be a first-in-the-nation type of law impacting religious freedom, the Tennessee legislature gave final passage May 18 to a bill revoking a Nashville ordinance that protects employees based on their homosexuality or transgender status, and Southern Baptist leaders quickly appealed to Gov. Bill Haslam to sign it into law."

There are serious questions about the constitutionality of this law, as well as its propriety.

California’s transgender protection bill makes progress - PinkNews.co.uk

While California already has included gender identity in its non-discrimination statute within the definition of the term "gender", the term "gender identity" would be directly included in the main text of the statute.

California’s transgender protection bill makes progress - PinkNews.co.uk: "A California bill to improve legal protections for trans people has been approved by the state assembly.

The Gender Nondiscrimination Act (AB 887) passed with bipartisan support on a 54-24 vote on Monday. It will now go to the state Senate."

Letter to the Editor: MA Legislature should act to protect transgender rights | Patriot Ledger, The; Quincy, Mass. Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET

Here is a letter to the editor recently published in the Quincy, MA Patriot Ledger.

Legislature should act to protect transgender rights | Patriot Ledger, The; Quincy, Mass. Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET: "On the bright side, the Massachusetts Legislature can do something to help protect its transgender residents from job discrimination in this state (we already have a law outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation) right now, by passing the Transgender Equal Rights Bill.

This bill would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender people in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations."

Transgender people deserve privacy, dignity in public bathrooms — Maine Opinion — Bangor Daily News

Transgender people deserve privacy, dignity in public bathrooms — Maine Opinion — Bangor Daily News: "A proposal to amend the Maine Human Rights Act has the goal of protecting the privacy of the nontransgender public in public bathrooms. This isn’t necessary and, instead, it has the potential to embarrass transgender people and put them at risk of harassment.

The bill, LD 1046, sponsored by Rep. Kenneth Fredette, would exempt businesses and institutions from the discrimination provisions of the Human Rights Act on the use of bathrooms and shower facilities."

As you may recall, there was a recent favorable decision in the Maine courts on trans bathroom usage, which you can read about here.

Transgender Job Discrimination Bill Clears Senate | WRBL

Transgender Job Discrimination Bill Clears Senate | WRBL: "en. Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, says Nevada joins 13 other states to include transgender discrimination in employment protections. State law already bars discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation and other attributes."

It's appropriate to note that there are about a dozen other states, in addition to the 13, that have court rulings, executive orders or administrative regulations that provide employment protections for trans employees.

YouTube - Employment as a transsexual woman

A video from a trans youth via the transyouthchannel. It illustrates the sad reality. Pertinent part begins at 4:30.

Best Business Practices to Openly Value the Transgender Workforce White Pape

A helpful beginning document for those seeking to learn more.

Best Business Practices to Openly Value the Transgender Workforce White Paper 04-28-11 Daniél C. Kimlinger, MHA - Mines & Associates Employee Assistance Programs

Often, when we hear of discrimination in the workplace, we think of discrimination against race, gender, or religion, along with other EEOC areas. Recently, there has been more attention on the transgender population in the workforce. This whitepaper will overview why companies are trending towards open non-discriminatory practices as well as valuing their transgender workforce.

Read more...

CATS moderator Amy Garbati shares her story of self-discovery | The Gay Issue 2011 | Charleston City Paper

A success story:

CATS moderator Amy Garbati shares her story of self-discovery | The Gay Issue 2011 | Charleston City Paper: "At the time, Garbati was prepared for a negative reaction at work and began searching for a job out of town. She finally decided that she would approach her boss, telling him, 'This is what's going on in my life. Do you think this is something that can happen in this location or do I need to look for another job?

'There was no written policy at the time,' Garbati adds. 'The possibility was that I could have walked in there and gotten fired that day.'

Instead, the management was receptive, and Garbati worked with them to draft a corporate policy regarding LGBT issues. The position was that every employee is judged on their performance. 'I couldn't ask for any more,' Garbati says.

And the announcement to the rest of the staff was overwhelmingly positive. Garbati received congratulatory e-mails and notes of encouragement. When she walked into the office for the first time a week later as Amy, people were stopping her and saying, 'Hey Amy, welcome back.'"

What Does Discrimination Cost? | The Bilerico Project

What Does Discrimination Cost? | The Bilerico Project: "A new research study released today by The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy shows that employment discrimination against transgender residents of Massachusetts likely costs the Commonwealth millions of dollars each year.

The findings are obvious, of course -- any factor that puts people out of work results in lower tax revenue and increased public assistance. Nonetheless, the importance of this study is its quantification of these costs based on research. While one might quibble with some of the numbers, the general conclusion that Massachusetts has lost money as a result of discrimination is undeniable."

Read more...

Irish Tribunal Finds For Transgender Employee

A&L Goodbody Solicitors, Dublin, Ireland - Knowledge Team, Know How: In a recently published determination, the Irish Equality Tribunal recognized the inclusion of transgender people under the gender heading of the Employment Equality legislation. The Tribunal also awarded €35,400 in damages after it found that the claimant had been discriminated against on the grounds of gender and disability.

Chaz Bono Comes Out For ENDA | The Bilerico Project

Chaz Bono Comes Out For ENDA | The Bilerico Project: "haz Bono gave an interview to New York Magazine on Tuesday, talking about his documentary, shown on the OWN Network.

In the interview, he was asked 'What do you think is the main issue for the trans community right now?'

His answer? The Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

This man gets it. It would have been so easy to give a glib, nonsensical answer, as so many celebrities have done. Clearly, Chaz is more than a nice suit. It's refreshing to see a celebrity who actually knows which end is up.

More on his answer after the jump."

CA Assembly Appropriations Committee Passes Bill Strengthening Employment, Housing, and other Nondiscrimination Laws - Lez Get Real

CA Assembly Appropriations Committee Passes Bill Strengthening Employment, Housing, and other Nondiscrimination Laws - Lez Get Real: "The Assembly Appropriations Committee today passed the Gender Nondiscrimination Act (AB 877) by a 12-5 vote. The bill is authored by Assembly member Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and is sponsored by Equality California and the Transgender Law Center. AB 887 will strengthen employment, housing, and other civil rights protections for all Californians, especially those who face discrimination based on gender identity and expression."

California statutes already protect against gender identity discrimination, but they are included as a subpart of the definition of "sex." This bill would create a separate protected category.

Labor Department Adds Gender Identity Protections | The Bilerico Project

Labor Department Adds Gender Identity Protections | The Bilerico Project: "The new policies been given to all current employees and will be disseminated to new employees during orientation as well as to employees who are promoted into supervisory ranks. The new rule doesn't apply further than that agency, but will apply to all hiring, promotion and disciplinary practices"

This may help move other parts of the federal government towards protecting gender identity.

Map: Transgender Employment Rights Make Headway | Mother Jones

Map: Transgender Employment Rights Make Headway | Mother Jones: "Here's a look at where things stand now:"

Colorado Job Fair For Trans People

Public News Service: "Colvin plans to attend the first-ever Colorado job fair specifically for transgender people, this Saturday in Denver, at the GLBT Community Center of Colorado. The Center says the event will feature companies that have established nondiscriminatory policies and offer well-paying jobs."

These are the kind of initiatives of which the trans community needs more.