Will President Obama’s new focus on executive orders include ENDA?
The administration reiterates its preference for a legislative solution to LGBT employment discrimination.
Continue 4 Comments January 21, 2014
Filed under: ENDA
Equality news round-up: ENDA, LGBT election news, and more
Final Senate vote expected today on ENDA, LGBT election wins, and more news.
Continue 9 Comments November 6, 2013
ENDA overcomes filibuster hurdle in Senate, heads to final vote this week
A historic vote in the Senate, an uncertain future in the House.
Pressure builds in advance of Senate floor vote on ENDA, 60 Senators likely to vote yes
Victory in the Senate looks very likely, although the House looms as a difficult-to-overcome obstacle.
Continue November 4, 2013
Equality news round-up: ENDA moving forward, and more
Updates on ENDA, marriage equality.
Continue October 28, 2013
New rulings issued in anti-transgender employment discrimination cases
By Scottie Thomaston 
Last year, the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) issued a major employment discrimination ruling in favor of a transgender worker. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 bans discrimination based on sex, and the ruling held that anti-transgender discrimination is sex discrimination under that statute. The ruling was groundbreaking for the rights of people who are transgender, and the Justice Department reaffirmed, according to Buzzfeed.
Now, to Buzzfeed reports, a similar ruling has also been issued, this time against a private employer:
BuzzFeed has learned that the EEOC also acted on at least one similar complaint later in 2012, a claim brought against a private employer.
The EEOC itself conducted an investigation into the actions of a private company in Maryland, concluding in September 2012 by finding that “reasonable cause” existed to believe the company had discriminated against a transgender woman employed by the company, which is a federal contractor. Although such findings often remain unpublicized, Freedom to Work and Lambda Legal, which represent the woman, presented the information about the case to BuzzFeed at this time because they have now reached a settlement with the company on behalf of the woman.
The details of this latest action aren’t public, but Tico Almeida at Freedom to Work, an organization working to end employment discrimination against LGBT people, commented on the rulings:
Less is known about the private-sector case, in which the names of the parties are being withheld, but Tico Almeida of Freedom to Work praised the EEOC for its work.
“Coming just a few months after the EEOC issued its historic decision that transgender people are protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the EEOC’s reasonable cause determination in this case is, to our knowledge, the first time in history that the EEOC has investigated allegations of anti-transgender harassment and ruled for the transgender employee. This case shows that the EEOC takes very seriously its role in protecting LGBT Americans’ freedom to work,” he said in a statement provided to BuzzFeed that is being released with the approval of both the plaintiff and defendant in the case.
An attorney for Lambda Legal involved in the private action suggested that President Obama should sign the executive order to prevent discrimination against LGBT contractors.
July 16, 2013
