We have come a long way in ten years concerning LGBTQ equality in the workplace. HOWEVER, as you will see in this report from the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) there is still MUCH WORK to be done! This is of particular note for transgender individuals who still can be fired for coming out in 27 states (54%)!
Mapping LGBTQ Equality: 2010 to 2020 presents a fresh perspective on the current status of LGBTQ equality in the states by examining MAP’s policy tally, encompassing nearly 40 LGBTQ-related laws and policies across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five U.S. territories as of January 1, 2020. The report also compares the current status of LGBTQ policy landscape to the status of these same laws as of January 1, 2010.
And this is my biggest concern as we wait until June (!!!) for SCOTUS to rule. I have concerns that the ACLU’s argument that Aimee Stephens is an “insufficiently masculine” man who was fired for not adhering to male stereotypes is fraught with risk. Risk in further confusing judges that already do not quite get the gender identity argument at the root of what being trans is. Conversely, it does move the narrative away from gender identity – something that, arguably, a person cannot “see” when they meet a trans person for the first time – to the much more “visual” dimension of gender expression. Rather than looking at these dimensions of gender separately, the much more compelling – and complete – view is to present them together in explaining what the true essence of being transgender is.
Supremely honored that my friend and fellow activist, Monica Helms, who is the creator of the transgender flag, included me on this list with such awesome trans women, most of whom I can count among my friends. If you click on the image you’ll find me right above the word “Trans”!
Last summer I had the pleasure of presenting a workshop at the Gender Health Conference: Inland Region held on the UC Riverside campus in Riverside, California. To those that are familiar with my work, the title of the workshop “What’s Happening in Today’s Workplace for the Transgender & Gender Non-Conforming Community” should come as no surprise. But you may ask yourself, “why is that topic being discussed at a conference focusing on the health of the transgender, intersex and queer communities?”
The answer, oddly enough, is very straightforward: If you are trans, intersex or queer-identified and not employed, you do not have access to healthcare. But it doesn’t stop there. If you are not employed, you do not have . . . access to housing. If you are not employed, you don’t have access to . . . a rewarding quality of life. If you are not employed, you don’t have access to . . . a lot of things that many of us simply take for granted…read full article
From my friends at Out & Equal Workplace Advocates. Did you know that the Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) is coming up on March 31st? Perhaps you did, or perhaps you didn’t. Regardless of the category, you find yourself in, please take a moment to download this wonderful resource designed to help you celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of your transgender employees not only on TDOV, but throughout the year as well! Educate yourself, please!
March 31st is Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) – a day where communities come together to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of transgender and gender non-conforming people. Out & Equal has produced a resource to help your organization participate and engage in this day of celebration. This resource should be a helpful tool for your organization’s year-round internal efforts for transgender inclusion and help guide your external communications around TDOV.