Gay And Lesbian Medical Association Urges Inclusion Of Transgender People In Federal Workplace Discrimination Bill

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 08 Oct 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) announced its support for including transgender people in the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The legislation as originally written would ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation, perceived sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. Last week, however, congressional leaders put forward a revised version which omitted protections based on gender identity and expression, stating that this was necessary to obtain sufficient votes for passage.

Rebecca Allison, a transgender cardiologist practicing in Phoenix, Arizona and GLMA's President Elect, understands the impact of workplace discrimination. "I personally know transgender physicians who were forced to abandon successful practices after announcing their intention to transition," she said. "In addition to causing financial losses, discrimination in the workplace can reduce productivity and put victims at risk for depression. Including transgender people in ENDA will help prevent some of these harms."

"We must do everything we can to oppose the marginalization of transgender people," said GLMA Executive Director Joel Ginsberg. "Transgender people are just as deserving of employment protections as anyone else. We are urging our members and all healthcare providers committed to equality for LGBT people to contact their representatives to insist that gender identity and expression be reincorporated into this critical legislation."

The mission of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association is to ensure equality in healthcare for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and healthcare professionals. More information is available at http://www.glma.org.