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Great Decision in Our Transgender Discrimination Case Against the Library of Congress!We've just gotten word from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia that the ACLU has won our case on behalf of Diane Schroer, a retired Army Colonel who was offered a job as a terrorism research analyst at the Library of Congress, only to have the offer rescinded when she told her future supervisor that she was in the process of gender transition. You can read the decision here.
When she interviewed for a job as a terrorism research analyst at the Library of Congress, she thought she'd found the perfect fit, given her background and 16,000-volume home library collection on military history, the art of war, international relations and political philosophy. Schroer accepted the position, but the offer was revoked when she told her future supervisor that she was in the process of gender transition. The ACLU then represented her in a Title VII sex discrimination lawsuit against the Library of Congress. You may recall that LGBT Project Director Matt Coles wrote about this case after attending the trial. The big news is that the court ruled that discriminating against someone for changing genders is sex discrimination under federal law. In reaching its decision, the court ruled: "The evidence established that the Library was enthusiastic about hiring David Schroer — until she disclosed her transsexuality. 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.'" This is an important first, and one that we hope will pave the way toward ending discrimination against transgender people who only want, like everyone else, to be secure in their jobs and earn a living. Diane Schroer served her country with great honor and selflessness for 25 years, and wanted only to continue that with the job at the Library of Congress. She has been a hero to many people for many years for many different reasons. Today, she's an even bigger hero to all of us. Want to learn more about how to fight for equal rights for transgender people in your hometown, county, or state? Visit the ACLU LGBT Project's online toolkit, Get Busy, Get Equal!
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Sep 19th, 2008 at 6:51pm
Thank you ACLU !!!!!!!!! What a great day for freedom!
Sep 19th, 2008 at 9:46pm
This is disgusting, this man belongs in an institution. The ACLU should help people like this understand they have a problem not encourage them.
Sep 21st, 2008 at 4:12am
Thank you that this discrimination is finally crumbling. There may be freedom for us some day, after all.
Sep 21st, 2008 at 9:29am
An you belong in a school. We transsexuals indeed have a problem and the only cure known is surgery - sex reassignment.
Sep 21st, 2008 at 11:58pm
Will this case in any way effect women in the military? Specifically, many of Dianne's (as David) experiences, that made her the most qualified applicant for the Library of Congress position, are currently not accessible to individuals born in a female body. Not to say she doesn't deserve the job (from everything I've read about Dianne, she is truly an amazing human being) - but no one born in a female body could have accumulated the experiences she did and therefore there is another level of sex discrimination going on here.
Sep 22nd, 2008 at 10:09am
Everyone should have the freedom to live and work as we wish. This is a monumental decision that effects so many of us. Thank you!