6/25/10

Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies Calls on DART to Write "Unequivocal" Transgender Protections

For Immediate Release
June 25, 2010

Contact
Kelli Anne Busey
kellibusey@yahoo.com

Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies(DTAA) Calls on DART to be faithful to resolution 950155 passed on June 22, 2010.
The DTAA calls on DART to craft it's nondiscrimination policy so that DART protects it's transgender, Gay, Lesbian and heterosexual employees "unequivocally" as promised.


Retaining or revising DART's current ambiguous nondiscrimination policy and definitions would invite interpretations that could allow discrimination and potentially costly litigation.

Transgender advocates and allies attending the June 22, 2010 Board meeting applauded the unanimous passage of resolution 950155 which states;
"It is the intention of the DART board to adopt language at DART that unequivocally prohibits discrimination against persons based upon their gender identity and gender expression.

The DTAA calls on DART to examine the Fort Worth Municipal nondiscrimination Ordinance passed in 2009 as a example that it my use in writing a nondiscrimination policy that is faithful to Resolution 950155.

Sec. 17-66. - Definitions.

"Sexual orientation shall mean heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality or being identified with such orientation."

"Transgender shall mean a person who experiences and/or expresses their gender differently form conventional or cultural expectations including, but not limited to those who express a gender that does not match the sex listed on their original birth certificate or who physically alter their sex."

Sec. 17-67. Discrimination prohibited.

"It shall be unlawful for any covered entity to discriminate against any individual because of age, race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender, gender identity or gender expression in any manner involving employment, including the recruitment of applicants for employment, advertising, hiring, layoff, recall, termination of employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, employment classification, training and selection for training or any other terms, conditions or privileges of employment."


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Dallas Transgender Advocates and Allies, a worldwide organization of Transgender, Transsexual, Gender Gifted. Intersexed, Questioning and allied people advocating for equality in politics, religion and society.

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6/24/10

Jose Rodriguez Texas Gay Man, OUTED and DISCHARGED under DADT

Source Dallas Voice Instant Tea: "An El Paso man says he was discharged from the Navy under “don’t ask don’t tell” because a commander found out he was gay when he sought treatment at a hospital after being drugged and raped at a gay nightclub in San Diego."
"Jose Rodriguez, who was missing for three days when he was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by a group of men last June, says he woke up in a hotel room with no clothes. He doesn’t recall much about the incident:"

“Me being forced down, held by my neck with a couple of hands holding me down and opening my mouth while I’m yelling, ‘Help,’” said Rodriguez.Dallas Voice



Via JoeAnthony Rodriguez Facebook
~~~NEW RESPONSE FROM US NAVY~~~DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVYNAVY PERSONEL COMMAND
5720 INTEGITY DRIVE......MILLINGTON, TN 38055-00005730Ser00L3E10U000231C
March 30, 2010
The Honorable Susan A. Davis
Member,
United States of Representatives
Attention: Katherine Fortner
4305 University Ave, Suite 515San Diego, CA 92105
 
Dear Representative Davis:
Thank you for your letter on January 5, 2010 on behalf of Mr. Jose A. Rodriguez a former member of the United States Navy regarding the alleged harassment and his administrative discharge.

Your continue desire to assist Mr. Rodriguez is appreciated. The USS PELELIU (LHA 5) has conducted an immediate through investigation into the claims that Mr. Rodriguez medical treatment was disclosed among members of the LHA 5. The investigation has found that only authorized personnel handled Mr. Rodriguez navy medical record. However, it was concluded that a former shipmate who visited Mr. Rodriguez at the hospital was provided information by the civilian hospital staff member. The former shipmate upon returning to LHA 5, after the visit, did tell Sailors of the incident. Immediately upon learning of the divulgence personal information, the service member in question was disciplined accordingly.

        Sincerely,E. A. Wrighitt Congressional Affairs
By direction of the Commander



"My dream was forcefully taken away. To serve my country as a patriotic gay american. I have a new dream. Equality for all! I will continue to fight for equality for all! we are the ones comming up in the world. We must continue to push this movement foward. End Don't Ask, Don't Tell!" JoeAnthony Rodriguez June 24 2010