[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 61 (Thursday, April 26, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE EEOC RULING THAT GENDER-IDENTITY DISCRIMINATION BE 
                          COVERED BY TITLE VII

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2012

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Equal Employment 
Opportunity Commission's decision that an employer who discriminates 
against an employee or applicant on the basis of gender-identity 
violates the Civil Rights Act. This decision is a massive step forward 
for transgender employment protection, a right that the transgender 
community has fought hard to ensure over the past decade.
  As a result of this ruling, investigators at all 53 of the EEOC's 
district offices will now accept discrimination claims brought by 
transgender individuals. The EEOC's legal staff can also bring lawsuits 
against employers the agency determines have discriminated against 
transgender employees or job applicants. The decision will be binding 
on all federal agencies. This definitive ruling gives transgender 
Americans the certainty, security and reliable legal protection they 
deserve.
  On June 25, 2008, I headed the first Congressional hearing on 
transgender discrimination. As I stated then, I feel strongly that a 
person's gender identity is an irrelevant criterion and should not play 
a role in his or her ability to get a job. The person best qualified to 
fill the role should get the job. This ruling from the EEOC ensures 
that transgender people across the country will be protected by federal 
law if they are denied a job or fired because of who they are or how 
they appear.
  Given the incredibly high rate of employment discrimination facing 
transgender people, it is important to recognize all of the people who 
have struggled through discrimination and adversity to get this ruling 
passed.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud the EEOC's decision and encourage Congress to 
seek further protections for transgender Americans and work to end all 
forms of discrimination.

                          ____________________