Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) applauds today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs that it has issued a directive stating that the federal government’s ban on sex discrimination by federal contractors also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and transgender status.

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Statement from TLDEF Executive Director Michael Silverman:

“This is welcome news for members of the transgender community who are employed by federal contractors. Everyone should have the same opportunity to earn a living and provide for their families, without fear of being fired simply for being who they are. For the many transgender people who work for federal contractors, this brings a great sense of peace in knowing that their job security will be based on performance, and not gender identity.

“The announcement comes on the heels of President Barack Obama’s executive order in July that prohibits the federal government as well as federal contractors from discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees and demonstrates an overall commitment by the federal government to create equality in the federal workforce. Today’s directive applies to all federal contractors subject to already-existing prohibitions on sex discrimination, while the President’s executive order applies only to new contracts signed since it was issued. As an organization that fights for the rights of transgender people across the nation, we are grateful for these efforts.”

To read details about this OFCCP Guidance, visit: www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/directives/dir2014_02.html and www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/faqs/GenderIdentityFAQs.html.

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