In a recent post on the U.S. Department of Labor's website, Secretary Tom Perez announced forthcoming guidelines that will clarify the provision of full protection under federal non-discrimination laws for transgender individuals. The post follows President Obama's announcement that he will sign an executive order banning discrimination against transgender federal employees, coinciding with LGBT Pride Month and the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.
Perez cites the case of Macy v. Holder, in which a transgender woman was notified that the position she was initially hired for had been cut, only after she informed her future employer of her transition. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruled in her favor, saying that discrimination based on gender identity is sex-based discrimination, and violates Title VII of the Civil Right Act of 1964.
The new guidelines will come from the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Civil Rights Center, along with the Employment and Training Administration, and Perez noted that the Labor Department has long protected employees from discrimination on the basis of sex.