Upon Governor’s signature, Hawaii will join 12 states and DC to provide transgender employment, housing and public accommodation protections

Equality Hawaii, the state's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organisation, and the Human Rights Campaign, America's largest LGBT civil rights organisation, yesterday congratulated the Hawaii Senate for passing a bill codifying prohibitions against discrimination in employment on the basis of gender identity by a 22 to 2 vote. The bill moves to Governor Abercrombie for his signature.

“The march towards full equality in the Aloha State continues,” said Alan Spector, Equality Hawaii Co-Chair.  “Providing employment protections to transgender citizens in Hawaii is a victory for civil rights and equal treatment under the law for all residents of our great state.”

“Following the passage of civil unions for Hawaii’s gay and lesbian residents, the enactment of employment protections for the state’s transgender people is another step forward in our fight towards equality in the Aloha State,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese.  “No one should be denied employment possibilities because of who they are, regardless of their gender identity or expression.”

The Human Rights Campaign and Equality Hawaii have worked closely together to build both public and legislative support for this legislation. Through this joint effort, thousands of phone calls, emails and handwritten letters have been sent to legislators urging them to approve this legislation.

Hawaii law already included these protections in Housing and Public Accommodations. Employment Protections based on sexual orientation were passed in 1991.