Obama Administration Issues Guidance to Public Schools Regarding Transgender Access to Restrooms

By Amanda Warford Edge

On Friday, May 13th, 2016, the Obama administration issued guidance directing all public schools in the country to allow transgender students to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. This guidance was issued amidst a court fight between North Carolina and the federal government over North Carolina’s controversial House Bill 2, which bans people from using public bathrooms that do not correspond with their biological sex.

U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. said that the guidance comes in response to schools and parents seeking direction on the issue. According to the Obama administration, the guidance ensures that all “transgender students enjoy a supportive and nondiscriminatory school environment.” The guidance also states schools cannot require transgender students to have a medical diagnosis, undergo any medical treatment, or produce a birth certificate before treating them consistently with their gender identity.

While this guidance does not have the force of law, its message was clear: gender identity is protected under Title IX as far as

EEOC Weighs In On Bathroom Issue for Transgender Employees

By Michelle Wyrick

Following recent news reports about Target’s bathroom controversy and North Carolina’s bathroom law, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) has issued a Fact Sheet outlining its views on bathroom access rights for transgender employees under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.  You can view the Fact Sheet here.

According to the EEOC, Title VII’s prohibition on sex discrimination also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.  Consequently, denying a transgender employee access to a common restroom corresponding to the employee’s gender identity constitutes sex discrimination.  An employer cannot require an employee to provide proof of surgery or any other medical procedure in order to use a particular restroom.  Nor can an employer avoid the requirement to provide equal access to a common restroom by restricting a transgender employee to a single-user restroom (although an employer can make a single-user restroom available to all employees who choose to use it).  The hostility or discomfort of other employees cannot overcome the right of a transgender employee to use the restroom corresponding with his or her gender identity.  Moreover, contrary state law is no defense.  Sorry, North Carolina.

OSC Finds That Army Harassed Transgender Worker

By Leila G. O’Carra

On October 23, 2014, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel announced its landmark determination that the Department of the Army engaged in gender identity discrimination against a civilian Army quality assurance specialist after she revealed her intention to transition from male to female. The Army agreed to provide remedial training on prohibited personnel practices, particularly on prohibitions against gender identity discrimination. The Army also agreed to provide workplace diversity and sensitivity training.

This finding marks the latest in a string of federal governmental actions aimed at prohibiting discrimination in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Last month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed two lawsuits on behalf of plaintiffs challenging transgender discrimination.   In both cases, the plaintiffs claim that their employers fired them because they were transitioning from male to female. The EEOC has previously interpreted Title VII to prohibit discrimination on the basis of transgender status, but this new litigation will be the first time that the EEOC tests its interpretation in court.
• In July 2014, President Obama signed an Executive Order prohibiting federal government contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment decisions on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
• In April 2014, in official guidance on Title IX, the Office of Civil Rights stated that “Title IX’s sex discrimination prohibition extends to claims of discrimination based on gender identity or failure to conform to stereotypical notions of masculinity or femininity…”

Employers must understand that while sexual orientation and gender identity are not listed as protected classes in either Title VII or Title IX, the federal agencies charged with enforcing those laws interpret them to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. However, employers that are “religious corporations,” and educational institutions that are “controlled by religious organizations,” may be entitled to exemptions if application of the law would be inconsistent with the religious tenets of those organizations.

President Signs Executive Order Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity

By Edwin S. Hopson

On July 21, 2014, President Obama signed an Executive Order prohibiting federal government contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment decisions on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Executive Order is an amendment to Executive Order 11246, issued by President Lyndon Johnson on September 24, 1965, and enforced by the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs.

Commenting on his action, “…the President also pointed out that workplace equality is simply good business. Noting that most of the Fortune 500 companies already have nondiscrimination policies on their books, he explained that these policies help companies attract and retain the best talent.”

For more information about Executive Order 11246, see:

http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/ca_11246.htm

House Labor Committee Holds ENDA Hearings

by George Miller

On September 23, 2009, the House Labor Committee opened hearings on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 (H.R. 3017), otherwise referred to as ENDA.  ENDA is sponsored by Rep. Barney Frank (D – MA) and has been introduced in previous sessions of Congress.  ENDA would prohibit employment discrimination, preferential treatment, and retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity by employers with fifteen or more employees.  Currently some, but not all, states prohibit discrimination on the basis of either sexual orientation or gender identity, and many municipalities have ordinances prohibiting such discrimination.  But if passed, ENDA would apply to all employers with fifteen or more employees everywhere in the country, except religious institutions that are exempt from coverage by equal employment laws.  At the opening hearing on September 23^rd, testimony was taken from a number of witnesses, including Rep.Frank.  A video of his and other witnesses’ testimony, and the entire proceedings, can be found at  http://edlabor.house.gov/hearings/labor/worker-rights/.