Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace

I don't normally post about work stuff on here, mostly because we have a blog at work, but I've found myself thinking I should at least do a quick blurb here for several months, so here goes.

"Transgender Inclusion in the Workplace, 2nd Edition" is the culmination of my years of work at the Workplace Project of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. The person who wrote the first edition is actually the person to whom I owe thanks for helping me get this job in the first place, Catherine Sheehy. In many ways, I stand on her shoulders in terms of knowledge, commitment and passion for workplace equality, transgender issues, and employers as change agents. But this second edition represents years of my own work and effort to put pen to paper (so to speak) in a way to help communicate these issues to broader audiences in a clear and effective manner. Well, at least it's the best that I can do. And I'm honored that Dr. Jillian Todd Weiss, a transgender workplace advocate, has reviewed the publication on her blog.

The aspect of this edition that most excites me is that it's all integrated into our website and is constantly updated (not Wiki-style, but as close as I can get!). I'm working on my third set of updates over the next month. And this work continues to challenge me in creating new and thoughtful presentations to get the message of workplace equality out to new and broader audiences -- look for more postings on this from me, soon.

Please take a look, if you're so inclined!

I should add that, although it's already November 9, my friend Addie has challenged me to National Blog Posting Month. The great thing about challenges in general is that they at least get you thinking. I don't know if I really have something useful to share every day, but I'm thinking about it!

Hillary's Goodbye (& Gender Equality)

I watched Hillary's speech on Saturday at the National Building Museum via CNN at my conference in Minneapolis. I normally get drawn into these speeches but from a purely political perspective; I want to hear what was not said more than what actually was said.

That being said, Hillary had my emotional attention from the moment she took the stage. It was the first time she truly spoke to me about the significance of her campaign with respect to gender equality in the United States. And her acknowledgment of the gay supporters of her campaign (see Associated Press video highlights of the speech below) -- not once, but twice -- managed to incite a surge of pride even in me, an Obama supporter.

We have a long way to go to attain gender equality, where men are equal to women and vice versa, in the United States (thinking of it merely as making women equal to men is insufficient, really -- think about paternity leave for fathers whose spouses are working, for example). But, as Hillary suggests, there are now 18 million little cracks in that glass ceiling.

• The full text of Hillary's June 7, 2008 speech at the National Building Museum.


• The full video of Hillary's June 7, 2008 speech at the National Building Museum

Highlights of Hillary's speech

Take Action against Hate Crimes

If you haven't seen this video from HRC on YouTube already, you really should (if you're reading this on Facebook, you'll have to view the original post to see it).

Then, go to www.hrc.org/fighthate to let your Senators know you support this legislation. The bill passed in the U.S. House in May.

Also, I think I'm in this video (see if you can find me -- or my doppelganger -- towards the end, tell me if you think it's me or not!)

Kansas City Star endorses Employment Non-Discrimination Act

I'll always be a Missourian at heart.

This weekend, the Kansas City Star ran an editorial in favor of ENDA.

"The reality is that in 2007, four decades after the Civil Rights Act was passed, gay Americans still face discrimination in the workplace. It often is subtle, but it exists."
• "End workplace discrimination" (23 Sep 2003, kansascity.com)

And, this year, two Missouri employers earned perfect ratings on the HRC Corporate Equality Index: Anheuser-Busch and law firm Bryan Cave. See the report at www.hrc.org/cei

Check out this interesting/entertaining take on the businesses that earned perfect scores "How to Avoid Advancing the Gay Agenda."

And, if you haven't already, contact your representative in support of ENDA: www.passendanow.org

2008 Corporate Equality Index Report

I'm so proud of this report and I can't wait for you to see what I've been working on all year!

Keep your eyes out for an entirely new design, and some great new 100%-rated businesses. Missourians/lawyers -- Bryan Cave became our second 100% in the state, and a total of 30 law firms got to 100% this year.

Now, let's keep our fingers crossed for ENDA!

• News Release: The Human Rights Campaign Foundation today released the sixth annual Corporate Equality Index showing an unprecedented 195 major U.S. businesses earned the top rating of 100 percent, up from 138 last year - a 41 percent increase. The Index rates employers on a scale from 0 to 100 percent on their treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors...
  
• 2008 Corporate Equality Index (17 Sept 2007, www.hrc.org)

Take action today.

State of the Workplace 2006-2007

On Tuesday, we released a new State of the Workplace. This year, we showed that transgender employment protections are on a huge upswing -- a quarter of the Fortune 500 now have protections, compared to just 8 in 2003. And it's going to get even better when we release the next CEI!

I'm really proud of this report, but even more excited about what we've seen in the past year, particularly with corporate support of non-discrimination laws and relationship recognition in the states.

....and Fortune magazine picked up the story!

• State of the Workplace 2006-2007 (July 2006, Human Rights Campaign Foundation)
• 'Trans'-forming Corporate America (24 July 2007, CNN Money/Fortune Magazine)
• You can also see what the author of the Fortune article has to say, outside the article itself Marc Gunther's blog (24 July 2007, MarcGunther.com)

The Truth About Hate Crimes Laws

Tomorrow, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a key hate crimes bill. The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act would extend the ability of law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute crimes motivated by the victim’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Crimes such as the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard in October 1998.

************************
Federal statistics show that one out of every six hate crimes are based on the victim's sexual orientation. This is the best chance we have at passing this crucial legislation.
************************

In order for this bill to pass, your member of Congress needs to hear from you! Find your representative and call the Capitol switchboard at 202/224-3121. Ask to be connected to your member of Congress and urge him or her to vote for the hate crimes bill.

Traditional.

Brought to you by Canada. Blame Canada!

You Will Live In Such A World...

Finally found Baldwin's quote from 2000:

"If you dream of a world in which you can put your partner's picture on your desk, then put his picture on your desk and you will live in such a world. If you dream of a world in which you can walk down the street and hold your partner's hand, then hold her hand and you will live in such a world. If you dream of a world in which there are more openly gay elected officials, then run for office and you will live in such a world. And if you dream of a world in which you can take your partner to the office party, even if your office is the U.S. House of Representatives, then take her to the party. I do, and now I live in such a world. Remember, there are two things that keep us oppressed: them and us. We are half of the equation. There will not be a magic day when we wake up and it's now ok to express ourselves publicly. We must make that day ourselves, by speaking out publicly first in small numbers, then in greater numbers, until it's simply the way things are and no one thinks twice. Never doubt that we will create this world, because, my friends, we are fortunate to live in a democracy, and in a democracy, we decide what is possible."

- U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin D-Wis. - Millennium March on Washington

Washington DC fights the Wisconsin Marriage Ban

Join us at Halo at 6 PM on October 17 for a student/young professional friendly fundraiser for Fair Wisconsin.

www.fairwisconsin.com/dc

For those of you that don't know, I worked for Action Wisconsin during the 2004 election cycle, the precursor to the Fair Wisconsin campaign against this amendment. We have been preparing for this vote for *two years* and have the best chance at beating one of these amendments at the ballot box!

Check out this Fair Wisconsin ad....



And a few more...

Workplace Equality

I'm in Chicago for work, tonight was the big gala dinner emceed by Kate Clinton, whom I thoroughly enjoy.... and I feel really blessed to work with such wonderful people.... :)
 

State of the Workplace

We released a new State of the Workplace in June that showed, for the first time, a majority of Fortune 500 companies offer domestic partner health benefits.

Check it out:

• State of the Workplace 2005-2006 (June 2006, Human Rights Campaign Foundation)

Blinding Flash of the Obvious?

Just, wow...

DEAR ABBY: I recently met a gorgeous woman I'll call "Giselle." After we had dated for a couple of months and became physically involved, she told me she had had gender reassignment surgery and used to be a man! I was, to say the least, shocked and deeply disturbed.

I did not punch out Giselle as I would have liked to — which brings me to my question. What is the etiquette regarding physically confronting someone like that? Is it the same as hitting a girl? We're roughly the same size. — Distressed in Virginia

DEAR DISTRESSED: Because Giselle is now a female, it would, indeed, have been the same as hitting a girl, and I'm glad you restrained yourself. I have a feeling that she was probably more hurt that you stopped seeing her than any physical blow you might have inflicted.

As to the "etiquette" regarding hitting her, if you hit someone of either gender, it is assault and battery — or possibly worse — and it's a crime that can land you in jail.

• Dear Abby : Can I punch transsexuals? (16 June 2006 - Arizona Daily Star/Tucson Citizen)
• Map of Statewide Hate Crimes Laws [PDF], Map of Statewide Anti-discrimination Policies [PDF] (Human Rights Campaign, more maps)
  

You wanna preach??

Totally agree with Towleroad on this....

Federal Marriage Amendment... High on the Priority List, eh?

This week, Congress will likely take a vote on the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. This issue was last voted on in Congress during summer 2004.

This time, there's even more reason to believe that it's just a partisan ploy to energize the socially conservative base. But the best differences between now and 2004:

• Even USA Today is editorializing on our side... Just say 'I don't' (31 May 2006 - USA Today)
• Pew Research Center poll: Less Opposition to Gay Marriage, Adoption and Military Service (22 March 2006 - The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press)
  
• Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life: Gay Marriage (continuous updates)

Take action now:

• www.hrc.org/voteno

Update: Senate handily defeats FMA vote (7 June 2006 - HRC) Next up - House vote.