Resources

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Research and data resources

Resources for individuals and their advocates

Organizations that Provide Legal Services to Individuals
Employment Discrimination
Changing Identity Documents
Marriage and Family Law
Immigration
Criminal Justice System
Heath, Education, and Provision of Social Services (youth, schools, shelters, aging)

Resources for passing non-discrimination laws that include gender identity legislation

Resources for Drafting Legislation
Statements of Support
Lobbying Legislators and Policymakers
After the law has passed: compliance guidelines
Education Materials and Articles on Transgender Rights

International Resources

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Research and data resources

January 13, 2006--Nathan Miller and Lori Weingarten have written a guide, "Creating GLBTQIA- inclusive forms and surveys," a resource for those creating forms, surveys or other information gathering tools. It's an eight-page document online in pdf at http://sugroups.wustl.edu/~safezones/GLBTQIA.forms.pdf

Transgender and Intersex Research in the Social Sciences: An email list of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLAGS) for people doing research on transgender or intersex subjects in the social sciences.  The purpose is to create a venue for scholars (academic and independent, including grad students) who are doing substantial research projects on transgender, intersex, genderqueer identities, practices, social movements, etc., in the social sciences to help provide mentorship, ideas, information on resources, and collegial support in the following areas, though this list is not exclusive: how to interact ethically with transgender and intersex communities; advice on getting through human subjects review; research design; help with questions of names, nomenclature, identity, practices, communities; find out what type of research is most needed by advocates and activists.  To subscribe, email  pcurrah     (at)    gc . cuny. edu.

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Resources for individuals and their advocates

Organizations that provide legal services to individuals

Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights: The Center provides free legal information to transgender individuals facing discrimination and free legal representation to low income people, and a name change kit. The Center represents people in the state of Pennsylvania. The Center's website is http://www.center4civilrights.org.

Equality Florida Legal Advocacy Project serves the entire state of Florida and provide some direct legal services, and also has an extensive attorney referral service with the goal of providing, at a minimum, a free legal consultation with an LGBT friendly attorney in their area who practices in the appropriate area of the law. They also maintain a comprehensive discrimination reporting database that is then used by local and state activists as they lobby for trans inclusive ordinances and laws.    Our contact info is: NCLR/EQFL Legal Advocacy Project, 3708 W. Swann Avenue, Tampa, FL 33609-4522, 813/873-2357.  See also October 2002:  National Center For Lesbian Rights on the FLORIDA BIRTH CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT POLICY and the new Florida Name Change Kit. (This is a large PDF file.)

Lambda Legal Defensea and Education Network is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, the transgendered, and people with HIV or AIDS through impact litigation, education, and public policy work. Lambda Legal is available to help with advice, referrals, and representation of individuals suffering discrimination other other legal problems because they are transgender. Lambda Legal can be reached through our website at http://www.lambdalegal.org, or by calling the Help Desk at any of our five regional offices in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, or Los Angeles.

The Sylvia Rivera Legal Resource Program is a new law project focusing on the needs and concerns of low-income transgender, transsexual, gender variant, and intersex people in the New York City area. Housed in the Urban Justice Center, SRLRP provides direct advocacy and representation for clients as well as engaging in policy work, trainings, and organizing. SRLRP is currently assisting clients with housing issues, criminal justice issues, and problems related to being transgender in the NYC foster care system, as well as serving as a legal resource center for attorneys and low-income trans, gender variant, and intersex people throughout NYC. To find out more about SRLRP's services or to get assistance or materials, please call (646) 602-5638 or email dspade@urbanjustice.org

Transgender Law Center (TLC) is a legal civil rights organization that connects transgender people to technically sound and culturally competent legal services in California. TLC uses the word transgender in the broadest possible sense to include anyone who in any way disagrees with their birth assigned gender and/or does not conform to gender norms. TLC's three-pronged approach is: direct legal services, public policy advocacy, and education.  For more information, email info@transgenderlawcenter.org or call (415) 865 5619.

Transgender Rights Project at the National Center for Lesbian Rights.  The Transgender Law Project (TLP) is a brand new effort to create effective and long-lasting legal advocacy for the San Francisco transgender community. We utilize educational publications and workshops to link San Francisco's transgender and legal communities. While we do not act as anyone's lawyer, we do help our clients understand the advocacy options open to them and, when possible, help connect them with effective and competent legal representation.  Tel: 415 392-6257 x 308; Email:  daley@nclrights.org.

Transgender Health Law Project: The Transgender Health Law Project will help transgender and gender non-conforming folks in the San Francisco Bay Area get health insurance, use that health insurance, get procedures covered, and find respectful doctors.  It is sponsored by FTMI, NCLR, and Yale Initiative for Public Interest Law starting September 1, 2002 at the San Francisco LGBT Center 1800 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 contact: Dylan Vade, dylan@transgenderlawcenter.org.

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Employment Discrimination

March 2, 2007--United Kingdom--New Research Report released, "Engendered Penalties: Transgender and Transsexual People’s Experiences of Inequality and Discrimination."  Authored by Stephen Whittle, Lewis Turner and Maryam Al-Alami, this 95 page report was commissioned by the UK Government's Equalities Review. As a consequence of the report's findings, the UK Government has announced that transgender will be a protected category (along with sex & gender; race & ethnicity; physical or mental disability; religion & faith; age; and sexual orientation) for the new Equalities and Human Rights Commission that starts work in October 2007. Report is online in PDF here here.

Shannon Minter, "Representing Transsexual Clients: Selected Legal Issues." Overview of all the significant transgender related case law in the U.S., including marriage, discrimination, immigration and asylum, health care, prison issues, hate crimes. In HTML format.

Employment Discrimination Protections for Transgender People in California.  By Sheryl Harris, The Legal Aid Society - Employment Law Center.  In HTML.  In PDF.

Sample Letter to Employer re:  Transgender Discrimination & Harassment, by Sheryl I. Harris, The Legal Aid Society - Employment Law Center.

Bathroom Conversation: A discussion with a Human Resources Manager about bathrooms and transsexual employees by Jamison Green. Excerpted from Paisley Currah, Shannon Minter and Jamison Green, Transgender Equality: A Handbook for Activists and Policymakers Off site.

Transgender Legal Issues in New England (pdf), from Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD).   Has excellent legal resources on discrimination claims, identity documents for New England states, etc.

American Bar Association Human Rights Magazine: Article by Jennifer Levi, Protections for Transgender Employees here.  

April 2004--Article recently published in a major HR magazine tells corporate HR folks how to best deal with TG employees and TG job applicants. Here in pdf.

See also:

See also a separate TLPI page with information about collective bargaining agreements.

December 29, 2004--Salem, OH--Transgender Firefigher Settles Suit Out of Court. A federal lawsuit that extended the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to protect transgender people from sex stereotyping discrimination on the job ended when firefighter Jimmie Lee Smith and the city of Salem settled out of court. Here.

December 24, 2004--Sioux City, IA--Trans woman settles discrimination lawsuit. Here.

June 18, 2004--Washington, DC--HRC releases a toolkit, "Transgender Issues in the Workplace: A Tool for Managers."  Download here in PDF.

Center for Gender Sanity: transgender workplace issues, tips for people planning to transition on the job, etc.

Transgender at Work project is a focal point for addressing workplace issues for the transgendered. TAW provides resources for innovative employers who want to set their company employment policies to help their transgendered employees to be at their most productive, without spending energy hiding an important part of themselves and pretending to be something they are not. Transgender at Work (TAW) focuses on voluntary cooperation between employers and employees. While civil rights laws are important to understand, and provide useful examples of language, advocacy for laws is outside the scope of TAW.

"Gender & the Workplace (Identity, Expression, Variance...)" from Pride at Work.  Click here to download this very large PDF file.  Click here to visit the Pride at Work Site. 

Gender Neutral Bathroom Survey: San Francisco Human Rights Commission, 2001.  The survey is posted here at the Transgender Law Center.  The fact sheet is posted here.

People in Search of Safe Restrooms (PISSR) (direct action group): We are committed to establishing gender neutral bathrooms. We believe that all people, regardless of their gender idenity or presentation have the right to access safe and dignified restroom facilities without fear of harassment, judgment, and violence. For more info, please contact dylan@transgenderlawcenter.org.

November 9, 2003--San Francisco, CA--Reuters, Transsexuals new focus of companies' legal protection. here.

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Changing Identity Documents

October 2006--New York, NY--New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is considering a rule change that would allow transgender people born in NYC to have their birth certificates amended. For more information, vist the FAQ on the Sylvia Rivera Law Project's site here.  The information about the hearing, and the proposed policy, is here.

December 2, 2003--New York, NY--Sylvia Rivera Law Project Wins Transgender Woman's Name Change Case.   Decision here in PDF, SRLP brief here in PDF.  See also Art Leonard's Gay City News story here; NY Lawyer story here and Newsday story here.

FLORIDA BIRTH CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT POLICY and information on the name/birth certificate change kit from the National Center For Lesbian Rights.

Florida Name Change Kit. (This is a large PDF file.) from NCLR and Equality Florida Legal Advocacy Project

National Center for Lesbian Rights Publications on Transgender Rights. (Scroll down the page.)

It's Time, Oregon! Identity Document Project. Information for Oregon residents on name and gender changes on driver's licences; information for those born in Oregon on changes to birth certificates.

Transgender Legal Issues in New England (pdf), from Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD).   Has excellent legal resources on discrimination claims, identity documents for New England states, etc.

Dr. Becky's Web Page has excellent information on U. S. States and Canadian Provinces: Instructions For Changing Name And Sex On Birth Certificates

Spencer Bergstedt,  "Translegalities: A Legal Guide for Transsexuals." This is an easy to understand self-help legal guide for trans-people. The book covers insurance, marriage, estate planning, divorce, child custody, social security, workplace issues, criminal issues, and more. Name change, birth certificates, driver's license info for all 50 US states is included along with sample forms and letters. The book also includes resource information like reading lists, organizations, products, etc. specific to whether you are FTM or MTF.  The cost is $30.00 (shipping and handling included).  When ordering, indicate quantity, total enclosed (check or money order made out to: Spencer Bergstedt) or if using a credit card, indicate VISA M/C, number, expiration date and name on card.  Send your order to Spencer Bergstedt, Attorney at Law 3500 188th St SW Suite 550, Lynnwood WA 98037.  Tel: 425-673-1610; web: www.spencelaw.com; email: MstrSpence@aol.com.

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Marriage and family law

Transgender People and the Federal Marriage Amendment: Frequently Asked Questions, from the Transgender Law Center, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and the Transgender Law and Policy Institute. Here in PDF.

Shannon Minter, Transgendered Persons and Marriage: The Importance of Legal Planning in PDF, Legal Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights. Also available from NCLR, 870 Market Street, Suite 570, San Francisco, CA 94102, 415-392-6257, nclrights@nclrights.org.(January 2004)

Transgender People and Marriage in California, Shannon Minter, National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Transgender Legal Issues in New England (pdf), from Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD).   Has excellent legal resources on discrimination claims, identity documents for New England states, etc.

American Bar Association Human Rights Magazine: Article by Taylor Flynn, Protecting Transgender Families: Strategies for Advocates here.

Spencer Bergstedt,  "Translegalities: A Legal Guide for Transsexuals." This is an easy to understand self-help legal guide for trans-people. The book covers insurance, marriage, estate planning, divorce, child custody, social security, workplace issues, criminal issues, and more. Name change, birth certificates, driver's license info for all 50 US states is included along with sample forms and letters. The book also includes resource information like reading lists, organizations, products, etc. specific to whether you are FTM or MTF.  The cost is $30.00 (shipping and handling included).  When ordering, indicate quantity, total enclosed (check or money order made out to: Spencer Bergstedt) or if using a credit card, indicate VISA M/C, number, expiration date and name on card.  Send your order to Spencer Bergstedt, Attorney at Law 3500 188th St SW Suite 550, Lynnwood WA 98037.  Tel: 425-673-1610; web: www.spencelaw.com; email: MstrSpence@aol.com.

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Immigration

Update now available: Shannon Minter, "Representing Transsexual Clients: Selected Legal Issues." Overview of all the significant transgender related case law in the U.S., including marriage, discrimination, immigration and asylum, health care, prison issues, hate crimes. In HTML format.

Fact Sheet on Applying for Immigration Based On Gender Identity Persscution, from the National Center for Lesbian Rights

See also:

December 30. 2004--New York, NY--Argentinean trans woman gains U.S. refuge after years of activism at home. Here.

December 2, 2004--San Francisco, CA--Man who wed transsexual faces exile: The Filipino husband of an American transgender woman has been pulled off the citizenship track because of his wife's identity and may be deported if he is unable to convince a federal court to step in. Story here.

August, 2004--Washington, DC--US Government Announces Policy on Transsexual Applicants. In an interoffice memorandum, William R. Yates, Associate Director for Operations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) announced that in its adjudication of spousal and fiancé petitions, the agency would not recognize a marriage or intended marriage where either party claims to be a transsexual. Full story on visalaw.com here. Another story on ilw.com here.

November 26, 2003--Miami, FL--A Mexican [trans woman] ]seeking asylum who was sexually abused by a guard at the Krome detention center in May 2000 has accepted $95,000 to settle a lawsuit
against the federal government.  Here.

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Criminal Justice System

August 1, 2006--King County Policy on Transgender Inmates. Here in PDF.

September 22, 2005--Amnesty International USA debuts its in-depth report, Stonewalled: Police Abuse and Misconduct Against LGBT people in the US.  Click here to read the report and summaries.

November 28, 2003--Casper, Wyoming--Douglas hermaphrodite sues Corrections Department. A transgendered woman has sued the state Department of Corrections over her 14-month sentence at the Wyoming Women's Center.  Here.

November 28, 2003--Washington, DC--Trans woman reports sexual assault in D.C. male cellblock. Incident prompts police to consider changing record system. Here.

November 26, 2003--Miami, FL--A Mexican [trans woman] ]seeking asylum who was sexually abused by a guard at the Krome detention center in May 2000 has accepted $95,000 to settle a lawsuit
against the federal government.  Here.

November 25, 2003--Concord, NH--Inmate sues prison for sex change and hormone treatments. Here. and Here.

November 14, 2003--San Francisco, CA-- Police panel alters transgender rules: The Police Commission has approved new guidelines on how police will deal with transgender suspects, including banning officers from using strip searches alone to determine a person's gender. Here.

July 18, 2003--Albany, NY--Trans Inmate Entitled to Care; Federal judge nixes prison’s policy of treating only pre-existing gender identity disorder.   See story here.

Portland, OR: Partnership Agreement with the Police

United Kingdom: Metropolitan Police guidelines -- Advice for officers dealing with transsexuals and transvestites, 1995 (off site)

Transsexual Prisoners, from the National Center for Lesbian Rights.

Shannon Minter, "Representing Transsexual Clients: Selected Legal Issues."   Overview of all the significant transgender related case law in the U.S., including marriage, discrimination, immigration and asylum, health care, prison issues, hate crimes. In HTML format.

Some Courtroom Concerns of the Transgender Community, Members of the transgender community have many of the same courtroom concerns that everyone has. We want to be respected; be heard; and be able to understand the legal proceedings and outcomes. We are also concerned about adequate accommodations for non-English speakers, respect of cultural differences, and elimination of racial and economic bias. A joint publication of the Transgender Law Center and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.  In pdf here.

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Health, Education, and Provision of Social Services

March 28, 2005--Transgender at Work is happy to announce the availability of a new research material available on their web site -- measuring the frequency and cost of Transgender Health Benefits (THBs.)  For more information, visit http://www.tgender.net/

June 11, 2004--Building Blocks Productions Premieres New Transgender Video, "How To Serve Transgender Clients Where They Are."  In partnership with the Maryland AIDS Administration, Building Blocks Productions and DiversityWorks Multimedia have produced a video to help health and human service providers better serve transgender clients. The video is the foundation of a training workshop being offered to local agencies that want to do a better job at serving transgender clients. Short release here. For more information on the video and the premier, contact Patricia of Building Blocks Television at 410-363-3680.

Trans Inclusion Policy Manual for Women's Organizations, in PDF format (off site).

Assessing the Needs of Female-to-Male Transgendered People of Color and their Partners by Willy Wilkinson, MPH & Prado Gomez, May 2004. Here in PDF.

Survivor Project (off site) is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of intersex and trans survivors of domestic and sexual violence through caring action, education and expanding access to resources and to opportunities for action.

Health:

August 23, 2004-Washington, DC--Coalition Creates U.S. Transgender Health Priorities Primer: Comprehensive Document Begins to Address Thirteen Health Disparities Among Population.  The National Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health, in an effort to address health disparities among the transgender population, has compiled "An Overview of U.S. Trans Health Priorities."  Priorities here in PDF. Advocate story here. See the coalition page here.

FTM and MTF Trans Health Fact Sheets, in PDF, National Colation of LGBT Health

Recommendations for Transgender Health Care, Transgender Law Center.

Shelters:

New York Department of Homeless Services Policy, February 8, 2006. NYC's Department of Homeless Services Issues a Trans-Affirmative Housing Policy. The New York City Department of Homeless Services ended discriminatory practices toward transgender clients at its homeless shelters with the release of a new policy which guides intake, assessment, and shelter staff to ensure that gender identity is taken into consideration when making intake assignments. See the actual policy in PDF here.

September, 9, 2005--National Center for Transgender Equality Releases, Guidelines for Evacuation Shelters: Making Shelters Safe for Transgender Evacuees aims to assist shelters in serving transgender evacuees.  Here in PDF.

Trans Community Shelters Access Project, a project of the 519 Community Centre, Toronto, Canada. Available online at http://www.the519.org/programs/trans/access_project/index.shtml.

Transitioning Our Shelters: A Guide to Making Homeless Shelters Safe for Transgender People (PDF), December 15, 2003, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, By Lisa Mottet and John M. Ohle

Boston Public Health Commission Homeless Services, Protocol for Serving Transgender Guests, in PDF format. 

Making Women's Shelters Accessible to Transgendered Women by Allison Cope & Julie Darke October 1999 (off site).

 

Elders:

Legal and Public Policy Issues for Transgender Elders (Posted March 2003), by Shannon Minter, Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. HTML. PDF

Lesbian, Gay Male, Bisexual and Transgendered Elders: Elder Abuse and Neglect Issues by Loree Cook-Daniels.

Youth and education:

TLPI, Ways that Colleges and Universities Meet the Needs of Transgender Students

California Safe Schools Coalition, Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming >Student Safety Directive here in PDF.

National Center for Lesbian Rights:

Inclusion of enumerated categories in safe school legislation/policies

Sample Anti-Harassment Policy

Guidance for Drafting Safe Schools Legislation, National Center for Lesbian Rights 

See generally, LGBT Youth Resources from the National Center for Lesbian Rights

Safe Schools Coalition:

Many resources, including reports, listservs, and other information on their site here.

Transgender Law Center:   Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Children: Recommendations for Schools

GLAD--Educational Flyer for Trans Youth in Massachusetts. Here in pdf.

August 20, 2004--New Jersey--Federal Appellate court rules a school failed to provide a "free appropriate public education" to a student who suffered homophobic and gender stereotyping harassment. In pdf here.

November 24, 2003--Rochester, NY--Transgender Teens Seek Dignity: The Rochester City School District is working on a proposal that would protect gay, bisexual, and transgender students called the "Dignity For All Students Act.”  Here.

Doe v. Bell: New York State Court rules that the New York City Administration for Children Services violated the New York State Human Rights Law by prohibting her from wearing skirts and dresses.  January 10, 2003. See Sylvia Rivera Legal Resource Program News Release.  Read case here in PDF format.

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Resources for passing non-discrimination laws that include gender identity legislation

March 2, 2007--United Kingdom--New Research Report released, "Engendered Penalties: Transgender and Transsexual People’s Experiences of Inequality and Discrimination."  Authored by Stephen Whittle, Lewis Turner and Maryam Al-Alami, this 95 page report was commissioned by the UK Government's Equalities Review. As a consequence of the report's findings, the UK Government has announced that transgender will be a protected category (along with sex & gender; race & ethnicity; physical or mental disability; religion & faith; age; and sexual orientation) for the new Equalities and Human Rights Commission that starts work in October 2007. Report is online in PDF  here.

Transgender Equality: A Handbook for Activists and Policymakers, by Paisley Currah and Shannon Minter, with an Introduction by Jamison Green. (National Center for Lesbian Rights and National Lesbian and Gay Task Force, June, 2000).  To get a copy, send $10 to the NGLTF Policy Institute at 121 West 27th Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10001 or download it for free from the NGLTF site in Adobe PDF format. (June 2000)

Resources for Drafting Legislation

If you are considering drafting and/or proposing a state or local anti-discrimination law, the Transgender Law and Policy Institute, working with the Transgender Civil Rights Project at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is available to advise you. Email us here.

September 2007--Transgender Issues: A Fact Sheet. PDF here.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Transgender Civil Rights Project. The Transgender Civil Rights Project works to increase the number of state, local and federal laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender expression and identity. Prohibiting discrimination based on "gender expression and identity" ensures that the entire range of gender non-conforming people are covered by the legislation.

Trans-inclusive Safe Schools Advocacy: Guidance for Drafting Safe Schools Legislation, National Center for Lesbian Rights (offsite)

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Statements of Support

Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, SUPPORT FOR THE INCLUSION AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE TRANSGENDER AND BISEXUAL COMMUNITIES (in pdf), March, 2003

 

Lobbying legislators and policymakers

Chart, by year, of jurisdictions with transgender explicit non-discrimination laws.  Download the PDF chart. Download the Adobe Acrobat Reader here.

See also these charts from the NGLTF Transgender Civil Rights Project:    
    1. Years passed between sexual orientation and gender identity/expression
    2. Year in Review: State and Local Trans-Inclusive Legislation 2005 / 2004 / 2003 / 2002
    3. Populations of jurisdictions with explicitly transgender-inclusive anti-discrimination laws here.

September 2007--Transgender Issues: A Fact Sheet. PDF here.

Transgender Law and Policy Institute--Talking Points.

Human Rights Campaign News Release--HRC Releases Ground-breaking Public Opinion Research on Transgender Issues: Public is Broadly Aware of Transgender Americans, But Much More Education Is Needed, Says HRC. Click here for off-site press release.

Rhode Island

Talking points used by trans advocates in passing the bill.

Testimony in favor of a trans rights bill, by Jennifer Levi, Esq. Staff Attorney, Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders before the Committee on Health, Education and Welfare concerning An Act Relating to Civil Rights presented on March 22, 2001: In  PDF format.

Letter from Jennifer Levi, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, to a RI state senator in response to his questions about the bill. In PDF format.

New York City Advocacy Documents for Int. 754. a bill before the New York City Council that would amend the definition of gender in the city's Human Rights Law to include transgender and gender variant people.

Text of the law as passed.
Testimony of Dennis deLeon, former Chair/Commissioner of the New York City Commission on Human Rights.
Testimony of Paisley Currah.
Testimony of Pauline Park.

See the Illinois Gender Advocates' web page for excellent resources.

Bathroom Conversation: A discussion with a Human Resources Manager about bathrooms and transsexual employees by Jamison Green. Excerpted from Transgender Equality: A Handbook for Activists and Policymakers Off site.

Report: Investigation into Discrimination Against Transgendered People (September 1994) by Jamison Green.  In PDF here (offsite).

If you have developed resources for lobbying -- education handouts, legal memoranda, reports of violence and discrimination -- and would like them posted here to be a resource for others, in HTML or PDF format, please email them to us as attachments. We will convert them for you, and post them with your name/logo prominently displayed.