EEOC Ruling Opens Doors to Employment Protection for Transgender People

MetroWeekly's Chris Geidner reports on a decision delivered yesterday to a woman denied employment by the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) after her transition:

An employer who discriminates against an employee or applicant on the basis of the person's gender identity is violating the prohibition on sex discrimination contained in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, according to an opinion issued on April 20 by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The opinion, experts say, could dramatically alter the legal landscape for transgender workers across the nation…

…In the decision, the EEOC states, ''[T]he Commission hereby clarifies that claims of discrimination based on transgender status, also referred to as claims of discrimination based on gender identity, are cognizable under Title VII's sex discrimination prohibition ….''

Transgender Law advocates are calling the decision a major breakthrough.

More at MetroWeekly…

Here's the decision.

The Washington Blade adds:

Masen Davis, executive director of the Transgender Law Center, said the significance of the decision is “hard to overstate.”

“Transgender people already face tremendous rates of discrimination and unemployment,” Davis said. “The decision today ensures that every transgender person in the United States will have legal recourse to employment discrimination, and with it a way to safeguard their access to vital employment benefits such as health insurance and retirement savings plans.”

Said Macy in response to the EEOC decision:

"As a veteran and a police officer, I’ve worked my whole career to uphold the values of fairness and equality. Although the discrimination I experienced was painful both personally and financially, and led to the loss of my family’s home to foreclosure, I’m proud to be a part of this groundbreaking decision confirming that our nation’s employment discrimination laws protect all Americans, including transgender people. I’m grateful for the help of Transgender Law Center, which believed in me from the start and helped guide me through this process. No one should be denied a job just for being who they are."

(image Mia Macy and her wife, Trish – via Transgender Law Center)