New hiring policy protects city's transgender workers

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http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051108/NEWS01/511080449


New hiring policy protects city's transgender workers

Mayor Bart Peterson expanded the city hiring policy to include protection for transgender employees, reissuing an earlier executive order last Friday.

Including the phrase "gender identity" in the policy that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation corrected an oversight from the original executive order issued in 2004, he said. The change brings the city's policy in line with the state policy adopted by Gov. Joe Kernan and kept in place by Gov. Mitch Daniels.

Peterson said he didn't want the city's hiring policy to be used as an excuse for limiting a more general City-County Council proposal to prohibit nearly all businesses from discrimination against gay and transgender employees. That proposal was defeated in April but supporters have promised to bring it back for a second vote if some council members change their minds.

Several advocacy groups supporting gay rights praised the mayor for recognizing the value of all employees, including Indiana Equality and Stonewall Democrats.