Date: Tue, 11 Aug 1998 19:59:43 +0000 From: Clare Howell Subject: IYF18 MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Editor: Clare Howell, clare@gpac.org . TRANSWOMAN FIRED FOR TRANSITIONING ON THE JOB . CONGRESS MEMBERS ADVOCATE EQUAL RIGHTS FOR TRANSGENDERED . MEDIA WATCH: NEW YORK POST TRANSWOMAN FIRED FOR TRANSITIONING ON THE JOB ============================================= [Cambridge, MA: 11 Aug 98] TRANSGENDER WOMAN Allie Lye was fired from her job at Sky Publishing Company in Cambridge because of her gender expression. She has filed suit against her employer for violating a city ordinance that protects transgender employees and a state law that forbids sexual dis- crimination. She began transitioning on the job in May, with her supervisor's support and the good-will of her co-workers. A month into her transition, her supervisor left the company. Two days later, her new supervisor called her into the personnel office and told her to stop dressing in women's clothes or she would be fired. She was told that her appearance was offensive to employees and customers, a claim she found disingenuous because her duties never put her in contact with customers and she got on well with co-workers. (Some even commended her courage, some her appearance). She filed a complaint with the Cambridge Human Rights Commission (HRC). The HRC contacted Sky Publishing who adamantly refused to negotiate, saying the ordinance is unconstitutional. Ms. Lye was told to work as a man until she had Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS). She could then dress as a woman. She declined, saying that she had no intention of having SRS; and, if she did intend SRS, she would have to live as a woman for 1-2 years before she could have the operation. On 24 July 98 she was fired, for insubordination. Her chances for judicial redress are not immediately promising. For defying the city ordinance, Sky is liable for only a $300 fine. And it could take nine months for her case to reach the Mass. Commission Against Discrimination. Commented transactivist Nancy Nangeroni of Cambridge, "This is a clear-cut case of both transphobia and blatant disregard for local jurisdiction and basic human rights. The company is presenting a mean-spirited face in terminating a productive and well- liked employee simply for her gender expression... This kind of conduct is egregious behavior for any business and should not be tolerated." ### CONGRESS MEMBERS ADVOCATE EQUAL RIGHTS FOR TRANSGENDERED ========================================== [Washington, D.C.: 6 Aug 98] TWO MEMBERS OF THE U.S. House of Representatives, Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Tom Lantos (D-CA), spoke out last week for human rights and employment non- discrimination for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. This could be the first mention in the Congressional Record of trans- gender people being citizens worthy of basic human rights. On the House floor, Jerrold Nadler spoke in opposition to the Hefley Amendment, a Republican sponsored effort last week to override President Clinton's recent Executive Order barring discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation. He said, "It is imperative that we begin the process of expanding the promise of the Declaration of Independence to include the last unincluded group--gays and lesbians and transgender people." Tom Lantos, co-chair of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, addressed the caucus regarding international human rights violations. "This briefing represents the first time that the US Congress will address violations grounded in sexual identity... "If a government denies human rights to one group, then it is possible for that govern- ment to deny rights to any other group... Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people in communities all around the world have been brutally punished both physically and mentally for exercising their fundamental human rights to freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of belief." Transactivists were heartened by these statements. Said one GenderPAC veteran, "We're actively lobbying Congress, building rapport with Congressional staffers. These trans-positive statements are the result of efforts by hundreds of local activists who attend our National Lobby Day in Washington every year, as well as the tireless work of early pioneers like Phyllis Frye and Jessica Xavier." ### MEDIA WATCH: NEW YORK POST ========================== [New York, NY: 8 Aug 98] UPBRAIDING THE New York Times for 'politically correct disparaties,' Dan Seligman in a NY Post article, "Midsummer Madness at the Times," (4 Aug), writes of the Times' treatment of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as an enemy of the people while treating GenderPAC's Riki Wilchins with "total PC deference." The Times had quoted Ms. Wilchins responding to the Gay Games' policy that requires trans- athletes to provide letters from their doctor and employer. She commented, "The Gay Games were formed because gay athletes could not compete openly--how ironic that they are now forcing another group of athletes to go back into the closet or face a barrage of stigmatizing obstacles." Mr. Seligman recounts this quote, and concludes, "The Times presents this position quite supportively, and with no intimation that it would also work as a news-break on the Comedy Channel." ### Subscriptions. Please send: subscribe iyf-online or: unsubscribe iyf-online to: MajorDomo@apocalypse.org For prior releases, check the GenderPAC website at: http://www.gpac.org (c) 1998 InYourFace Our online news-only service for gender activism.