Transgender Law Center Applauds Introduction of Inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Washington, DC – The Transgender Law Center thanked lawmakers today for introducing a federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) which would protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees from workplace discrimination. The bill, which enjoys bi-partisan support in Congress, would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination.

“ENDA is an important step in securing civil rights for all Americans, and will ensure that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, will be treated fairly in the workplace,” said Masen Davis, Executive Director of the Transgender Law Center. 

Currently, California and 11 other states have non-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) workers. Such laws are critical given the high rates of employment discrimination facing transgender employees. The Transgender Law Center’s 2008 CA Transgender Economic Health Survey found that almost 70% of working-age transgender Californians experienced discrimination in the workplace, including 30% who reported that they have been unemployed as a direct result of being transgender or gender non-conforming. The same survey found that transgender respondents were twice as likely to have a college degree as the average California. 

“Discrimination has no place in today’s workplace,” said Davis. “All employees deserve to be judged on their merits and the skills they bring to the workforce – not by their sexual orientation or gender.”

As a member of the steering committee of the United ENDA coalition, the Transgender Law Center has been working since 2007 to educate California policymakers about the economic needs of transgender people and the importance of federal employment protections.

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The Transgender Law Center (TLC) is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities. Key findings from TLC’s 2008 California Transgender Economic Health Survey, may be found athttp://www.transgenderlawcenter.org/pdf/StateofTransCAFINAL.pdf

415-865-0176 
Transgender Law Center, 870 Market Street #822, San Francisco, CA 94102
info@transgenderlawcenter.org