Congress has concluded its first ever
hearing on transgender bias in the workplace. The House Committee on
Education and Labor's subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and
Pensions, chaired by New Jersey Representative Robert E. Andrews
(Democrat), heard from several witnesses testifying on the issue.
The historic hearing was Congress'
first serious look at the varied issues involved in transgender job
discrimination. And representatives from both sides of the political
aisle appeared supportive of ending transgender workplace
discrimination.
Witnesses at the hearing included the
nation's only openly out representatives: Massachusetts
Representative Barney Frank (Democrat) and Wisconsin Representative
Tammy Baldwin (Democrat).
In her opening remarks Baldwin said,
“Hate crimes against transgender people are tragically common.”
Several transgender people shared their
stories of employment discrimination. Retired Colonel Diane Schoroer
testified that a job offer as a terrorism analyst was quickly
rescinded after she reveled to the Library of Congress that she was a
transgender person. Schoroer retired from the military after a
distinguished career as David Schoroer, even briefing Vice President
Dick Cheney on terrorism.
Activist Diego Miguel Sanchez has
successfully transgendered to a man. He testified that his path to
happiness had often been stifled by prejudice and lamented the loss
of trans friends who had tragically taken their own lives.
Questions on the expense and burden
that transgender work protections would place on the employer were
raised by JC Miller, a partner at Thompson Hine LLP, who stressed we
cannot control what people think. And Glen Lavy, Senior Counsel and
Senior Vice President for Marriage Litigation for the Alliance
Defense Fund, objected to the principle on the grounds of deeply-held
religious beliefs.
Committee members appeared genuinely
concerned with the issue of transsexual work bias. Illinois
Representative Phil Hare (Democrat) took issue with Lavy's testimony,
saying that what Lavy called a “moral judgment” seemed more like
a “moral obligation” to him. And subcommittee chairman New
Jersey Representative Robert E. Andrews (Democrat) dismissed issues
raised by Miller and Lavy by saying the issue was not that
complicated.
A Dale Glading (Republican) press
release immediately following the hearing blasted Andrews for his
support on the issue. “In tough times, we need real leaders who
will stand up and fight for the people they represent. Rob Andrews
decided instead to pander to yet another special interest group
rather than take on the difficult challenges New Jersey families are
facing in today's economy.”
Glading also singled out pro-gay group
Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) for
actively promoting today's hearing.
PFLAG is currently sponsoring a
campaign featuring transgender activist/actress Calpernia Addams,
titled This Is Our Love Story. The national print campaign
sets out to inform on a variety of issues the transgender community
faces.
Speaking to On Top Magazine,
PFLAG Director of Communications Steve Ralls said today's hearing was
long overdue, adding: “Discrimination against transgender Americans
is pervasive in our country, and it is imperative that Congress take
concrete steps to protect the rights, and stand up for the dignity,
of the transgender community... None of us are truly protected under
the law until all of us are included in the American ideal of
'liberty and justice for all.'”
On the net: PFLAG's national website
can be found at www.pflag.org.