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Transgender Members Quit HRC Over ENDA
by The Associated Press
Posted: November 27, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET, Updated
9:00 pm ET
(Washington) Two transgender members of the Human
Rights Campaign quit Tuesday, saying the group's support of an employment
nondiscrimination bill that excluded transgender workers put them "in an
untenable position."
Jamison Green and
Donna Rose's resignations from the business council of the Human
Rights Campaign are effective immediately, according to a joint
letter. The Human Rights Campaign works for equal rights for gays,
bisexuals and transgender people.
"Considering
recent broken promises, the lack of credibility that HRC has with
the transgender community at large, and HRC's apparent lack of
commitment to healing the breach it has caused, we find it
impossible to maintain an effective working relationship with the
organization," they said.
The House, with
support from the Human Rights Campaign, earlier this month passed
the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The measure would make it
illegal for employers to make decisions about hiring, firing,
promoting or paying an employee based on sexual orientation.
But it does not
protect transgender workers. That term covers transsexuals,
cross-dressers and others whose outward appearance does not match
their gender at birth.
Supporters of the
bill say it would not have passed the House if it had included
transgender protection. However, many transgender activists and
their supporters were furious at their exclusion from the
legislation and lobbied to scrap it.
The bill is now in
the Senate.
"HRC has
always and will continue to be supportive of a fully inclusive ENDA
that protects our entire community," said Human Rights Campaign
spokesman Brad Luna. "While HRC was disappointed the bill did
not include protections for transgender Americans, we believe it
paves the way for additional progress to outlaw workplace
discrimination based on gender identity."
Luna said:
"We wish Donna and Jamison well in their future
endeavors."
©365Gay.com 2007
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