Alameda County adopts resolution banning gender id discrim

County rules ban gender-ID bias
Supervisors approve anti-discrimination policy as foes raise concern over restroom use, 'natural law'
By Michelle Maitre, STAFF WRITER

OAKLAND — Alameda County supervisors voted 4-0 Tuesday to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity following a passionate public hearing that illustrated deep divisions over issues involving transgenders and other gender-variant individuals.

The board's new policy applies to county employment, services and the use of facilities in county buildings. It prohibits discrimination based on a person's "gender-related" identity, appearance or behavior, "whether or not stereotypically associated with a person's assigned sex at birth."

Opponents argued the board was wading into a troublesome area by opening restrooms to members of the opposite gender. Others raised issues of "natural law" and allusions to the biblical cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in urging a "no" vote.

"You are holding fire to your bosom, and it will burn you," said Desiree Furrell of San Leandro.Gender-ID policy approved

"I appreciate the effort to make some people feel better," said Catherine Norman of Fremont, who added "bathrooms are about biology, not perceived gender."

"So many women will feel intimidated and harassed,
you would be exposing this county to a class-action lawsuit," Norman said.

Proponents said the policy deals with basic civil rights protections. They invoked the name of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and slain transgender teen Gwen Araujo of Newark in urging a "yes" vote. Prosecutors say Araujo, who was born a male but lived as a woman, was killed when the teen's biological gender became known.

"This resolution is about justice, this resolution is about civil rights, this resolution is about simple human dignity. It's about ending an atmosphere of looking at transgenders as something less than human," said Roxy Carmichael-Hart, president of Transgender San Francisco, who transitioned from man to woman in 2003.

Marcus Arana of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, which enforces San Francisco's 10-year-old ordinance banning discrimination based on gender identity, said he hasn't investigated any complaints about transgenders entering restrooms to prey on women and children.

Supervisor Nate Miley also discounted some opponents' concerns, saying issues raised over bathroom rights were a "red herring."


"To me, it just smacks of discrimination and of people's own hatred of other people's lifestyles," Miley said. "We just need to be tolerant of everybody and not be judgmental. It's not for us to judge."

Miley said he doesn't understand why some people want to change their gender, "but it's not for me to understand. What is for me to do is make sure everyone is safe from discrimination."

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Supervisor Keith Carson worked with members of the transgender community in crafting the resolution, which he said will bring county policies in line with existing state law. County policies, which already prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, haven't been updated since 1990, he said.

Supervisor Scott Haggerty expressed concern that the county's new policy is stronger than the state law.

Despite his misgivings, Haggerty voted in favor of the change.

Arana praised the supervisors' vote.

"Hate is not a local value of Alameda County, and (the resolution) reiterates Alameda County's commitment to protecting county employees
and facilities from discrimination," Arana said.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Contact Michelle Maitre at mmaitre [at] angnewspapers.com. Gender-ID policy approved

"I appreciate the effort to make some people feel better," said Catherine Norman of Fremont, who added "bathrooms are about biology, not perceived gender."

"So many women will feel intimidated and harassed, you would be exposing this county to a class-action lawsuit," Norman said.

Proponents said the policy deals with basic civil rights protections. They invoked the name of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and slain transgender teen Gwen Araujo of Newark in urging a "yes" vote. Prosecutors say Araujo, who was born a male but lived as a woman, was killed when the teen's biological gender became known.

"This resolution is about justice, this resolution is about civil rights, this resolution is about simple human dignity. It's about ending an atmosphere of looking at transgenders as something less than human," said Roxy Carmichael-Hart, president of Transgender
San Francisco, who transitioned from man to woman in 2003.

Marcus Arana of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, which enforces San Francisco's 10-year-old ordinance banning discrimination based on gender identity, said he hasn't investigated any complaints about transgenders entering restrooms to prey on women and children.

Supervisor Nate Miley also discounted some opponents' concerns, saying issues raised over bathroom rights were a "red herring."

"To me, it just smacks of discrimination and of people's own hatred of other people's lifestyles," Miley said. "We just need to be tolerant of everybody and not be judgmental. It's not for us to judge."

Miley said he doesn't understand why some people want to change their gender, "but it's not for me to understand. What is for me to do is make sure everyone is safe from discrimination."

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Supervisor Keith Carson worked with members of the transgender community in crafting the resolution, which he said will bring county policies in line with existing state law. County policies, which already
prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, haven't been updated since 1990, he said.

Supervisor Scott Haggerty expressed concern that the county's new policy is stronger than the state law.

Despite his misgivings, Haggerty voted in favor of the change.

Arana praised the supervisors' vote.

"Hate is not a local value of Alameda County, and (the resolution) reiterates Alameda County's commitment to protecting county employees and facilities from discrimination," Arana said.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Contact Michelle Maitre at mmaitre [at] angnewspapers.com.

sigh

Transsexuals get free reign in restrooms?
Group blasts new anti-discrimination rule in California

Posted: January 26, 2005
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42571

A decision to expand anti-discrimination laws in the San Francisco Bay
area is drawing fire from pro-family groups who say it will lead to
conflicts between transgendered people and the public at large.

At a heated hearing in Oakland yesterday, the Alameda County Board of
Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a resolution prohibiting
discrimination based on a person's "gender identity."

It applies to Alameda County employment, services and facilities,
according to Bay City News.

The measure is being blasted by the likes of Randy Thomasson, president
of the Campaign for Children and Families, who says the action will
"force women and girls to endure transsexual men entering and using
women's restrooms on county-owned property, including parks and libraries
where children gather. The resolution also forces county employees and
contractors to agree with transsexuality and sex changes, or suffer
retribution if they complain or resist."

Thomasson says there may be a religious freedom lawsuit brewing to try
to reverse what he calls an immoral resolution. He also is telling the
public to contact the board in Alameda to express outrage over the
decision.

"Pro-family citizens must make an example of the sexual anarchy of San
Francisco and Alameda counties," he said. "People who love God and
family must repent from complacency and learn how to run for and elect
pro-family representatives to local government."

Marcus Arana of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission is among
those in favor of the resolution.

It shows that "hate is not a local value of Alameda County and
reiterates Alameda County's commitment to protecting county employees and
facilities from discrimination," Arana told Bay City News.

"I don't see why people get in such a huff and puff," Supervisor Nate
Miley said, as he called for tolerance and love. "I don't understand why
people want to change their gender, but it's not for me to understand
it."

© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com, Inc.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, January 26, 2005

PRESS CONTACT:
Derek Turner, ACLU-NC
415-621-2493

Alameda County Passes Resolution Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

click here for a copy of the resolution

SAN FRANCISCO - The Alameda County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in a 4-0 vote on Tuesday. The resolution expands the County’s 15-year-old non-discrimination policy to include gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

“We applaud the Alameda Country Board of Supervisors for declaring that discrimination against transgender people in the workplace and in county facilities will no longer be tolerated,” said Christine Sun staff attorney with the ACLU of Northern California.

The resolution states that “all individuals shall have full and equal enjoyment of privileges, benefits, goods, services and facilities consistent with the person’s gender identity,” and requires that organizations include “gender identity,” “gender expression” and “sexual orientation” when posting notices prohibiting discrimination.

Advocate Patricia Kevena Filli, of AIDS Project East Bay said: “This vote is an epiphany for those of us in the community. It is a matter of justice and equity, pure and simple. Transgender people are members of the human family and that fact is now affirmed in Alameda County.” Filli added “We are grateful for the compassion and wisdom of the Board of Supervisors, and particularly Supervisor Carson and his staff.”

The resolution was sponsored by Supervisor President Keith Carson and supported by broad coalition of individuals and organizations.