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Graham Legislation Would Further Protect Transgender Residents Against Discrimination

Washington, DC – Councilmembers Jim Graham (D-Ward One) and Vincent Orange (D-Ward Five) today introduced legislation that would add “gender identity and expression” as a protected status under the DC Human Rights Act. The bill was co-sponsored by the entire Council.

District residents and workers have expressed the need for a clear protection in the law against transgender discrimination. Although some courts have already interpreted the 1977 DC Human Rights Act’s language about “personal appearance” to apply to transgender victims of discrimination, this protection is unclear and far from universally understood.

Many employees, employers and housing providers are not aware that transgender discrimination is banned. Under the Graham legislation, the new language prohibiting transgender discrimination would appear on employment posters throughout the District.

“We need to fill this gap that has left District residents without access to decent jobs, housing and healthcare,” said Councilmember Graham. “New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia and other large cities across the country already clearly ban discrimination on gender identity. It’s about time we did too.”

A group of grassroots activists called the DC Coalition to Clarify the Human Rights Act presented 1,200 postcards in favor of this legislation at today’s DC Council session.