11/11/2015

How to be a Ally   Presenter Be an affirming employer by creating a culture of inclusion for Transgender employees.

Gia Drew (she/her/hers) Program Coordinator, EqualityMaine GSTA Coordinator, GLSEN Southern Board President, Maine TransgenderGender Network Diversity

Before becoming an LGBT Advocate, Gia was one of the first out transgender public school teachers in Maine, and one of the first transgender high school coaches in the country.

Introductions Agenda

•Name •Welcome and Introductions •Pronouns •What it Means to be Transgender •What pronouns do want people to use when referring to you? •What is Transitioning •She/her/hers, He/him/his, they/them/theirs, or something else •Your Title/Position •Create a Safe and Affirming Workplace •First Positive Experience with anything LGBT •The law, Confidentiality, and Identification Documents •Best Practices •Q & A •Resources

Why I do This Work Relationships

Build Understanding ‐ Understanding what it is like to be a transgender person can be really hard for most people, especially if you have never met a transgender person. Well, I guess we’ve taken care of that. In fact, we’re everywhere, and transgender folks are coming out with greater frequency.

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What does it mean to be Transgender What is Gender Identity

TRANSGENDER individuals are people with a gender identity that is different GENDER IDENTITY is an individual's internal sense of being male or female. The from the sex assigned to them at birth. Someone who was assigned the male sex way an individual expresses their gender identity is called “gender expression,” at birth but who identifies as female is a transgender woman. Likewise, a person and may or may not conform to social stereotypes associated with a particular assigned the female sex at birth but who identifies as male is a transgender man. gender.

Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation Transitioning

Continuum of Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Biological Sex Transition: Some individuals find it necessary to transition from one gender to another. (anatomy, chromosomes, hormones) These people often seek some form of medical treatment such as counseling, hormone Male ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Intersex‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Female therapy, electrolysis, and reassignment surgery. These treatments may be deemed medically necessary for many individuals, based on a determination in concert with their Gender Identity medical providers. (Psychological sense of self) Man‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Gender Queer/Gender Non‐Conforming‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Woman

Gender Expression (outward communication of gender) Masculine‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐androgynous/gender nonconforming‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Feminine

Sexual Orientation (romantic/erotic response) Hetero‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐Bisexual/Pansexual/Queer/Asexual‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐/

Why some may not transition Transitioning on the job

Transitioning While Employed ‐There are several issues that commonly generate No Transition ‐ Some transgender individuals, however, will not pursue some questions from managers and employees who are working with a transitioning (or any) forms of medical treatment because of their age, medical condition, lack employee. of funds, or other personal circumstances, or because they may not feel the •Confidentiality and Privacy treatment is necessary for their well‐being. •Dress and Appearance •Names and Pronouns •Bathrooms Managers and supervisors should be aware that not all transgender individuals •Workplace assignments and duties follow the same pattern, but they all are entitled to the same consideration as •Recordkeeping they undertake the transition steps deemed appropriate for them, and should all •Sick and medical leave be treated with dignity and respect. •Hiring Process •Insurance •Exit Interviews

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Laws and Polices Laws and Polices across the country

Laws offer protection for transgender people in employment in New England.

▪ Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits sex discrimination in employment. Federal Courts have concluded that discrimination because an employee or job applicant is transgender constitutes sex discrimination. Title VII applies to any employer with at least 15 employees. This means that complaints of anti‐transgender job discrimination anywhere in the country can be filed with the EEOC.

▪ All New England States provide explicit protections against discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation, and all but New Hampshire* provide similar protections for gender identity and expression.

*In New Hampshire, the Human Rights Commission has concluded that disability antidiscrimination laws can cover transgender persons, relying on a case originating in Rockingham Superior Court.

Transgender Employment Policies Tips

Having a transgender specific employment policy and guide will clarify the 7 Tips for Creating Transgender Friendly Workplaces existing laws and help your company welcome and include transgender, gender non‐conforming, and transitioning employees. 1. Have a Transgender Inclusive Antidiscrimination Policy 2. Offer Nondiscriminatory Health Insurance A growing number of companies have antidiscrimination policies on their books 3. Let Workers Choose Bathrooms (consider a gender neutral restroom as a that cover bias against transgender people. choice for all employees) 4. Keep up with local, state, and federal laws (no one likes to Whether there is a transgender specific policy or a antidiscrimination policy, be sued). use one as the basis for creating your own inclusive policy to ensure 5. Protect Confidentiality transgender, gender non‐conforming, and transitioning employees feel safe and 6. Educate all Staff on Gender Diversity welcome in your workplace. 7. Be Honest

Questions? National Resources

National Center for Transgender Equality ‐ The National Center for Transgender Equality is the nation’s leading social Now’s your chance, and remember, this is what I do for a living, so don’t worry justice advocacy organization winning life‐saving change for transgender people. about not using the right words  Lambda Legal ‐ Lambda Legal is the oldest and largest national legal organization whose mission is to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of , gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV

Transgender Law Center ‐ Transgender Law Center works to change law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression.

GLAD ‐ Through strategic litigation, public policy advocacy, and education, Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders works in New England and Nationally to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation.

NCLR ‐ The National Center for Lesbian Rights advances the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, legislation, policy, and public education

TELDF ‐ Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund is committed to ending discrimination based upon gender identity and expression and to achieving equality for transgender people through public education, test‐case litigation, direct legal services, and public policy efforts.

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Local Resources

EQME ‐ EqualityMaine works to secure full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Maine through political action, community organizing, education, and collaboration.

MaineTransNet –Maine Transgender Network provides support, education, resources for the transgender community in Maine. Thank you! PFLAG ‐ PFLAG Portland, Maine offers compassionate peer support to the parents, families and friends of, and including, LGBTQ individuals through group discussion, education, advocacy and creating connections to community resources. [email protected]

TYEF –Trans Youth Equality Foundation shares information about the unique needs of the transgender community, partnering with families, educators and service providers to help foster a healthy, caring and safe environment for all transgender children.

ACLU –American Civil Liberties Union of Maine is the state's guardian of liberty. We are active in the courts, the legislature and the public sphere to defend the Constitution and the Bill of Rights for all Mainers.

GLSEN ‐ The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

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