Trans Protections Approved in Dallas

A vote of 3-2 added nondiscrimination protections for transgender workers in Dallas County Tuesday.

The order adds "transgender, gender identity, and gender expression" to the county's existing laws against workplace discrimination, which currently provide protections against discrimination on the basis of religion, color, race, national origin, sex, age, disability, and political affiliation.

Calling the decision a "historic moment" for Dallas County, commissioner Elba Garcia said the vote was "about equality and justice for everybody."

On March 22, the court of commissioners added sexual orientation to the county's nondiscrimination policy, and since that date many transgender people have addressed the court, asking for the same protection for transgender employees.

Voting against the proposal were the court's two Republican commissioners, Maurine Dickey, who believed transgender people were already protected under the existing language, and Mike Cantrell, who said he wanted to save the taxpayers from potential legal liability.

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