July, 01 2009, 01:53pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Brad Luna | Phone: 202/216.1514,Trevor Thomas | Phone: 202/216.1547
Human Rights Campaign Statement on DOJ Decision Not to Appeal Schroer v. Billington
The
Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, issued the following
statement today in reaction to the decision by the U.S.
Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, issued the following
statement today in reaction to the decision by the U.S.
WASHINGTON
The
Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, issued the following
statement today in reaction to the decision by the U.S. Department of
Justice not to appeal an earlier court decision in Schroer v.
Billington, in which a federal district court concluded that Library of
Congress officials violated federal sex discrimination law when they
withdrew a job offer from a transgender woman because she was
transitioning:
Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, issued the following
statement today in reaction to the decision by the U.S. Department of
Justice not to appeal an earlier court decision in Schroer v.
Billington, in which a federal district court concluded that Library of
Congress officials violated federal sex discrimination law when they
withdrew a job offer from a transgender woman because she was
transitioning:
"The
Administration made the right decision in standing by the court's
ruling that the Library of Congress violated the law and discriminated
against Diane Schroer for being a transgender woman," said Human Rights
Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Diane served her country for 25
years in the U.S. Army with bravery and distinction, but despite her
expertise and experience, the Library of Congress decided she couldn't
continue that service in civilian life simply because she is
transgender. We applaud Diane's continuing work to make sure
discrimination based on gender identity ends in this country and
congratulate her and the ACLU, which represented her, on this important
victory."
Administration made the right decision in standing by the court's
ruling that the Library of Congress violated the law and discriminated
against Diane Schroer for being a transgender woman," said Human Rights
Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Diane served her country for 25
years in the U.S. Army with bravery and distinction, but despite her
expertise and experience, the Library of Congress decided she couldn't
continue that service in civilian life simply because she is
transgender. We applaud Diane's continuing work to make sure
discrimination based on gender identity ends in this country and
congratulate her and the ACLU, which represented her, on this important
victory."
Schroer
testified in June of 2008 at an historic Congressional hearing on
workplace discrimination based on gender identity. The hearing, "An
Examination of Discrimination Against Transgender Americans in the
Workplace," discussed the real and pervasive mistreatment transgender
workers face everyday, the role Congress can play in eradicating
discrimination based on gender identity, and how corporate America is
leading the way toward full equality in the workplace.
testified in June of 2008 at an historic Congressional hearing on
workplace discrimination based on gender identity. The hearing, "An
Examination of Discrimination Against Transgender Americans in the
Workplace," discussed the real and pervasive mistreatment transgender
workers face everyday, the role Congress can play in eradicating
discrimination based on gender identity, and how corporate America is
leading the way toward full equality in the workplace.
The
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), introduced in the U.S. House
last week, would address discrimination in the workplace by making it
illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee based
on the person's sexual orientation or gender identity. This bill would
reflect the values, shared by the vast majority of Americans, that
employment decisions should be based on a person's qualifications and
work ethic. To learn more about ENDA, visit: https://www.hrc.org/laws_and_elections/enda.asp.
Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), introduced in the U.S. House
last week, would address discrimination in the workplace by making it
illegal to fire, refuse to hire or refuse to promote an employee based
on the person's sexual orientation or gender identity. This bill would
reflect the values, shared by the vast majority of Americans, that
employment decisions should be based on a person's qualifications and
work ethic. To learn more about ENDA, visit: https://www.hrc.org/laws_and_elections/enda.asp.
The Human Rights Campaign represents a grassroots force of over 750,000 members and supporters nationwide. As the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, HRC envisions an America where LGBT people are ensured of their basic equal rights, and can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
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