"We do not see things as they are; we see things as we are."
- Anais Nin
Gender Identity Resolution in Portland
IT'S TIME, OREGON!
Press Release!
NEWS *** NEWS *** NEWS *** NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Lori Buckwalter,
Executive Director
(transgal@yahoo.com)
23 Dec 1998
Portland Oregon City Council Passes Gender Identity Protections
Mayor Vera Katz and Portland City Council Mandate
Anti-Discrimination Measures: Portland Resolves to Respect Rights of
Transgendered and Transsexual Employees
Landmark Resolution Is Hailed By Community Leaders
Portland, December 23, 1998:
Portland's City Council today unanimously approved a resolution to take specific
steps to prohibit discrimination based on "gender identity" within
its workforce, in session at Portland City Hall. The resolution will start a
process of expanded involvement by the City in creating protections in the public
and private sectors. It states that "the City is in a position to demonstrate,
through its own internal policies and procedures, the viability of a workplace
which respects the rights of transgendered and transsexual people..."
Specific items of resolution include:
Directions to city agencies to include gender identity in non-discrimination
guidelines for "employees as well as appropriate guidelines for use of City
facilities";
A request to expand employment "mediation services to resolve discrimination
claims based on gender identity";
Exploring employee health insurance options "which could cover necessary
medical treatment for transgendered and transsexual people";
Exploring "whether city EEO certification program can be expanded to
include non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity".
For the purposes of this resolution, the definition of gender identity refers
to "a person’s actual or perceived sex, and includes a person’s identity, appearance,
or behavior, whether or not that identify, appearance or behavior is different from
that traditionally associated with the person’s sex at birth."
Gender identity is thus a universal human right, of great importance to individuals
who may be considered “variant” from traditional gender stereotypes, including
transsexual and transgendered people, who are particularly vulnerable to employment
discrimination.
Other cities have made general statements of support for non-discrimination, but
significantly, the City of Portland has made specific proposals to create a practical
model workplace. Community leaders who testified expressed hope that this example of
leadership on the part of the City will encourage expanded education and protections
in private industry.
The resolution was endorsed by representatives of groups such as the Human Rights
Campaign, Basic Rights Oregon, It's Time, America!, the Metropolitan Community Church,
the Lesbian Community Project, Equity Foundation, Northwest Gender Alliance, TransPort,
Phoenix Rising, and others.
Lori Buckwalter, Director of It's Time, Oregon!, an organization that promotes civil
rights initiatives concerning gender identity, was involved in the work leading to
this resolution. She states, in response to the City Council vote: "We are deeply
grateful for the leadership role which the City has taken, and for the individual
courage and compassion of the Mayor and Commissioners. The concern for the dignity
of all the people of Portland, which we’ve come to expect from this City, is
reaffirmed by this historic action. This initiative is supported by a wide range of
sexual minority community leaders as well, and this is a sign of growing mutual
respect within these communities."
Buckwalter continues, "There is still much to be done, to develop constructive trust
relationships between those who have experienced gender identity discrimination,
and public and private officials. Issues of employment and healthcare are primary,
and this resolution creates a tangible prospect that we can cooperate to dispel
decades of misunderstanding, and make a real difference in people’s lives. Portland
is now a place of unique opportunity to start this important work."
