Two transgender
members of the Human Rights Campaign's business council
quit Tuesday, saying the group's support of an employment
nondiscrimination bill that excluded transgender workers put
them ''in an untenable position.''
Jamison Green and
Donna Rose's resignations are effective immediately,
according to a joint letter. The Human Rights Campaign works
for equal rights for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and
transgender people.
''Considering
recent broken promises, the lack of credibility that HRC
has with the transgender community at large, and HRC's
apparent lack of commitment to healing the breach it
has caused, we find it impossible to maintain an
effective working relationship with the organization,'' they
said.
The U.S. House of
Representatives, with support from HRC, earlier this
month passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The
measure would make it illegal for employers to make
decisions about hiring, firing, promoting, or paying
an employee based on sexual orientation.
But it does not
protect transgender workers. That term covers
transsexuals, cross-dressers, and others whose outward
appearance does not match their gender at birth.
Supporters of the
bill say it would not have passed the House if it had
included transgender protection. However, many transgender
activists and their supporters were furious at their
exclusion from the legislation and lobbied to scrap
it.
The bill is now
in the Senate.
''HRC has always
and will continue to be supportive of a fully inclusive
ENDA that protects our entire community,'' said Human Rights
Campaign spokesman Brad Luna. ''While HRC was
disappointed the bill did not include protections for
transgender Americans, we believe it paves the way for
additional progress to outlaw workplace discrimination based
on gender identity.''
Luna added, ''We
wish Donna and Jamison well in their future endeavors.''
(AP)
