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offer was rescinded.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kiss rescinded the offer, saying she wasn’t a “gtxxl fit.”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
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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.
For more information visit www.sldn.org.
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