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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 2007)
DECEMBER 7. 2007 jUStlOUt 19 national NATIONAL Trans Woman Sues Library of Congress Rejecting the federal government’s attempt to throw out a transgender veterans sex discrimination lawsuit against the Library of Congress, a federal judge ruled Nov. 28 that the case can go forward. The American Civil Liberties Union brought the lawsuit in June 2005 on behalf of 25-yyar U.S. Army veter an Diane Schroer, who was offered a job as a senior A federal court judge ruled that the Library of Congress discriminated against U.S. Army veteran Diana Schroer when her employment offer was rescinded. terrorism researcher but was later told she was not a “good fit" after her future boss learned she was in the process of transitioning from male to female. “After putting my life on the line for my country for 25 years, 1 couldn't believe that 1 could be refused a job that I was told 1 was the most qualified for solely because 1 happened to be transgender," said Schroer, a former U.S. Army Special Forces Officer who specialized in fighting terrorism. After retiring from the military, Schroer, who was chosen to lead a classified national security operation while serving as an airborne ranger qual ified special forces officer, applied for a position with the Library of Congress as the senior terrorism research analyst. Soon thereafter she was offered the job, which she accepted immediately. Prior to starting, Schroer ttxik her future boss to lunch to explain that she was in the process of tran sitioning and thought it would be easier if she started work presenting as female. The next day, her future kiss rescinded the offer, saying she wasn’t a “gtxxl fit.” In its motion to dismiss, the government argued that Title VII, which protects against sex discrimina tion, does not protect transgender workers. The court rejected this argument. The court said, “Title Vll is violated when an employer discriminates against any employee, transsexual or not, because he or she has failed to act or appear sufficiently masculine or femi nine enough for an employer." FLORIDA Republicans Defend Gay Military Ban Republican candidates for the 2008 presidential nomination Nov. 28 defended the federal “don’t I’m straight... OHIO Partnership Registry Approved The Toledo City Council approved an ordi nance Nov. 13 that creates a domestic partnership registry for same-sex and opposite-sex couples. The measure passed by a strong margin, 10-2. Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner signed the ordinance Nov. 21, and it takes effect Dec. 21. The domestic partnership registry is the second in Ohio, following Cleveland Heights, and is the first in a big city. It will enable couples to obtain recogni tion of their domestic partnership from the clerk of the council. Meanwhile, the Dayton City Commission passed an ordinance Nov. 21 that adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s nondiscrimination law. The vote was 3-1, with Mayor Rhine McLin voting in favor and one commissioner abstaining. MICHIGAN Directive Protects Trans Employees Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed an executive directive Nov. 21 that bans discrimination in state employment based on gender identity or expression. The directive protects nearly 50,000 state employees in Michigan's executive branch, which encompasses 95 percent of all state employees. The directive will protect transgender workers and any state employees who face discrimination because they do not conform to traditional gender norms in their behavior or appearance. © Compiled by J aymf . e R. Cirri TAe. &evest£tu the z/c/ iA.p/topo/t/iofiaA to tAe neaeA. 1 1 ask, don’t tell" law, which bans gay, lesbian and ; bisexual personnel from the military. Retired Brig. Gen. Keith Kerr, a member of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network’s military advisory council, asked his question as part of rhe ' CNN/ YouTube debate of Republican presidential contenders. “I want to know why you think that American men and women in uniform are not pro fessional enough to serve with gays and lesbians,” he asked. . “Most Americans |who enter the military) are- conservative and have conservative values, and to force those people to work in a small, tight unit with someone openly homosexual and goes against their principles is a disservice;” U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, D-Calif., responded. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said, “Leaders almost unanimously tell me that the present policy is working." Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said, "People have a right to whatever feelings and atti tudes they wish, but when conduct puts cohesion at risk, 1 think that is what is at issue.” Former Gov. Mitt Romney, who acknowledged supporting open service early in his career, said he now opposes it, saying that the law “has been there for 15 years, and it seems to be working." Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Service members Legal Defense Network, pointed to growing support among Republican voters and lawmakers for repealing the law. A March 2006 Pew Research Poll found that 62 percent of self identified moderate Republicans support open service. 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