The guidance is available at www.opm.gov/diversity/Transgender/Guidance.asp, provides further information to federal managers and human resources officials to ensure that transgender employees are treated fairly and equally in their public service to our nation.
"It is an essential American value that workers be judged on their merits, not personal characteristics like gender identity that have no bearing on how well you can do the job," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "Today's guidance will help to ensure that all federal workers – whether fighting fires in our national forests, prosecuting federal crimes in court, conducting groundbreaking cancer research or making sure this week's paycheck gets to your mailbox – will be treated with the fairness and dignity they deserve. We thank President Obama and OPM Director John Berry for their leadership in providing a federal workforce that welcomes all who would enter public service, including transgender people."
As part of its Blueprint for Positive Change, a series of policy recommendations to improve the lives of LGBT Americans and their families, HRC urged the Obama administration to extend protections to transgender federal workers.
The transgender community often faces increased hurdles during a job search. Although Colorado has an inclusive employment non-discrimination act in place that protects transgender employees and jobseekers, discrimination due to lack of knowledge and understanding can still occur. Therefore, it is imperative that both transgender job applicants and prospective employers have the information they need for a successful employment situation.
On May 7, 2011, The GLBT Community Center of Colorado's (The Center) Transgender Career Advancement Project (TCAP) made history by presenting the first-ever Colorado Transgender Job Fair. The job fair's purpose was to assist members of Colorado's transgender community in finding well-paying jobs with employers who have transgender-inclusive policies in place and can provide a living wage, benefits, and opportunities for advancement.
