Transsexual wins lawsuit aganist Library of Congress

[Irinya]

Source

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A former Army commander who underwent a sex change operation was discriminated against by the U.S. government, a federal judge ruled Friday in an important victory for transgenders claiming bias in the workplace.

Diane Schroer won her federal lawsuit against the Library of Congress after officials backed out of a 2005 job offer when told of her intention to become a transsexual. At the time of the job interview for a position as a senior terrorism research analyst, David Schroer was a male. He had been a onetime Army Special Forces commander.

U.S. District Court Judge James Robinson said Schroer's civil rights were violated.

"The evidence established that the Library was enthusiastic about hiring David Schroer -- until she disclosed her transsexuality," Robinson wrote. "The Library revoked the offer when it learned that a man named David intended to become, legally, culturally and physically, a woman named Diane. This was discrimination 'because of ... sex.' "

The judge will later rule on what financial damages Schroer is due.

"It is especially gratifying that the court has ruled that discriminating against someone for transitioning is illegal," said Schroer in a statement from the ACLU, which represented her in court.

"I knew all along that the 25 years of experience I gained defending our country didn't disappear when I transitioned, so it was hard to understand why I was being turned down for a job doing what I do best just because I'm transgender. It is tremendously gratifying to have your faith in this country, and what is fundamentally right and fair, be reaffirmed."

After Schroer had retired from the military, she applied for a job at the Library of Congress. Court records show that Schroer, then a male, took her future boss to lunch to outline her transition to a female, as she planned to present herself as a female on her first day of the job.

Schroer testified that on the day after the lunch, the job offer was rescinded, and she was told she wasn't a "good fit" for the library.

The ACLU said the ruling sends a "loud and clear" message to employers against firing or refusing to hire someone for changing their gender.

There was no immediate reaction from the library, which had claimed at trial that transgender people are not covered under federal anti-discrimination laws.

The case is Schroer v. Billington (Cv-05-1090).

Interesting, I'm glad she won that case though.
I wasn't sure were to post this, so I went with the Soap Box in case this sparks some debate.

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

She won against the US government? Awesome. Unfortunately with the way things are going, they'll ignore this and continue discriminating...

 

[Nomura]

She won against the US government? Awesome. Unfortunately with the way things are going, they'll ignore this and continue discriminating...

It's sad that we are attempting to fight terrorist over seas, yet we cant stop them here. Everyone has a right to be who/whatever they want to be. As American citizens, no, as humans they are as equal as anyone and everyone else. It's unconstitutional to be discriminatory in such a way, as goes against everything written in the declaration of independance, and goes against everything this country was founded upon! Why can't most of my fellow americans ever just get over their discomfort and prejudice, and act like the Americans they were born to be?

 

[Irinya]

She won against the US government? Awesome. Unfortunately with the way things are going, they'll ignore this and continue discriminating...

At least it's a step in the right direction. *sigh* I wish people would get a brain finally.

It's sad that we are attempting to fight terrorist over seas, yet we cant stop them here.

I agree that this is awful, but what they are doing is discrimination, not terrorism.

As American citizens, no, as humans they are as equal as anyone and everyone else. It's unconstitutional to be discriminatory in such a way, as goes against everything written in the declaration of independance, and goes against everything this country was founded upon! Why can't most of my fellow americans ever just get over their discomfort and prejudice, and act like the Americans they were born to be?

Didn't you know? They are acting exactly like the Constition wants them to! When they said "All men are created equal..." they met they were only giving rights to white, Christian men! Like, duh. All of us are delusional. [/sarcasm]

Sometime this country scares me.

 

[ShinyFlareon]

It's sad that we are attempting to fight terrorist over seas, yet we cant stop them here. Everyone has a right to be who/whatever they want to be. As American citizens, no, as humans they are as equal as anyone and everyone else. It's unconstitutional to be discriminatory in such a way, as goes against everything written in the declaration of independance, and goes against everything this country was founded upon! Why can't most of my fellow americans ever just get over their discomfort and prejudice, and act like the Americans they were born to be?

Unfortunately, while I agree with everything you're saying, people are, as the saying goes, "only human." No matter how green the grass is on their side of the fence, they'll always feel like it could be greener. It's human nature to be selfish, greedy, and always feel like you're getting the short end of the stick.

On topic, this is fantastic to hear! Diane was completely right -- she was the same person, whether she was male or female. It's good to see something like this happen every once and a while.

 

[Nomura]

I agree that this is awful, but what they are doing is discrimination, not terrorism.

In my book, when you defy the constitution, your just as bad as a terrorist. Also, history has shown those to be discriminatory to terrorize they discriminate against.

Didn't you know? They are acting exactly like the Constition wants them to! When they said "All men are created equal..." they met they were only giving rights to white, Christian men! Like, duh. All of us are delusional. [/sarcasm]

Sometime this country scares me.

lol. I knew you were being sarcastic, and well done I might add.

But maybe one day we(our generation) can move past all this, since it's obvious the generations before are still useing this same bs today.

Emerald- You are absolutely right, people are only human...but those same people are generally the ones who pride themselves on being such great Americans. I'm just asking them to be what they say they are....it's only natural for a human to want honesty(even though most of us lie anyway lol).

 

[Irinya]

In my book, when you defy the constitution, your just as bad as a terrorist. Also, history has shown those to be discriminatory to terrorize they discriminate against.

Ah, ok then, I was just using the official definition of terrorism, and assumed you were referring to it.

lol. I knew you were being sarcastic, and well done I might add.

I'm glad you understood xD. I just put the sarcasm tag there since this is the internet, and people tend to misunderstand sometimes.

But maybe one day we(our generation) can move past all this, since it's obvious the generations before are still using this same bs today.

Dear God, I hope so. Yet I still live in one of those areas were if a guy doesn't play some sport or isn't tough, people call him a 'fag'. Thankfully, this is only a handful of people, maybe natural selection will destroy them all, or they will become more accepting and less streotypical with time.

 

[Nomura]

Ah, ok then, I was just using the official definition of terrorism, and assumed you were referring to it.

haha, I like how ur just like, "Ah, ok then."lol

I'm glad you understood xD. I just put the sarcasm tag there since this is the internet, and people tend to misunderstand sometimes.

Yes, it's the fault of liveing in a society in which people take things so hard and personal that you have to watch you say now days. Due to that, I'm sure alot of people have forgotten what sarcasm even is.

Dear God, I hope so. Yet I still live in one of those areas were if a guy doesn't play some sport or isn't tough, people call him a 'fag'. Thankfully, this is only a handful of people, maybe natural selection will destroy them all, or they will become more accepting and less streotypical with time.

I live in an area were a white guy(me) cant sit and eat lunch with his best friends who are black without getting rudely stared at, or reffered to as a whigger or some such. I live in an area that was formed by former Govenor Taft to prevent liberals from ever being elected from dayton into the senate again, and now all the conservatives and all the bigots got to move into town.

The only way to stop it is to end the natural occurence of passing legacy of parent to children, that is the main reason why things such as this have yet to die.

 

[Irinya]

haha, I like how ur just like, "Ah, ok then."lol

Well, if you want to get into a long debate on the definition of 'terrorism' we can xD...but that would be going off topic. (I don't really care about how people use words, as long as they don't completely contradict the 'official' meaning).

I live in an area were a white guy(me) cant sit and eat lunch with his best friends who are black without getting rudely stared at, or reffered to as a whigger or some such. I live in an area that was formed by former Govenor Taft to prevent liberals from ever being elected from dayton into the senate again, and now all the conservatives and all the bigots got to move into town.

Maybe I should be thankful that my area is not the extreme with this...that just sounds messed up.

 

[Nomura]

Well, if you want to get into a long debate on the definition of 'terrorism' we can xD...but that would be going off topic. (I don't really care about how people use words, as long as they don't completely contradict the 'official' meaning).

Yeah, I understand. On the bright side, it wouldn't be that much of a debate since I know my definition is not the official one, just my extreme constitutionalist view.lol

Maybe I should be thankful that my area is not the extreme with this...that just sounds messed up.

I hate how bias and ignorant the area I live in is, but for everyone of those kinds of people, there are 6 extremely awesome people to blur them out.

 

[Satoshi-chan]

There was no immediate reaction from the library, which had claimed at trial that transgender people are not covered under federal anti-discrimination laws.

You know, I don't know what is sadder... someone being declined a job offer because they were intending to have a sex change, or the fact that some people feel that they only have to be nice to anyone who is a minority if they are on an anti-discrimination list. I know it's silly to expect people to actually "do unto others..." and that's a shame.

 

[Nomura]

You know, I don't know what is sadder... someone being declined a job offer because they were intending to have a sex change, or the fact that some people feel that they only have to be nice to anyone who is a minority if they are on an anti-discrimination list. I know it's silly to expect people to actually "do unto others..." and that's a shame.

It's sad that we actually have the balls to say all men(women) are created equal...yet we only favor those who fit the standards of the country's owner's. White and rich...or in most cases....just the rich part is counted...that's what is sad.

 

[h1tm0nl33]

if your born a man ill call you a man that's that just like that movie coming to America when they were talking about Mahmoud Ali "his momma named him clay I'm gonna clay"