tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20389448.post5225287844659418974..comments2024-03-20T06:44:28.606-05:00Comments on TransGriot: Transgender Rights UpdatesMonica Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09702533200851174728noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20389448.post-28179357176397927152009-03-05T08:22:00.000-06:002009-03-05T08:22:00.000-06:00Thanks for the update Emile.Thanks for the update Emile.Monica Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09702533200851174728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20389448.post-44506275057287674762009-03-05T02:22:00.000-06:002009-03-05T02:22:00.000-06:00It may sound strange, but the Moscow City Council ...It may sound strange, but the Moscow City Council vote to not include "gender identity/expression" protections in their employment non-discrimination policies is not actually a defeat. Let me explain. On January 20, 2009 the Moscow Human Rights Commission voted unanimously to endorse the inclusion of "gender identity/expression", and on February 23 the City Council's Administrative Committee moved to take the amendment to the full Council. The City Attorney and the Human Resource Manager advised the City Council that after their review of the City's existing non-discrimination policies, they believed that "gender identity/expression" was already covered. Of course we all know that if the words aren't specifically written, it ain't so. The victory, albeit small, comes from the fact that each Council member that voted "No" was polled and their responses are now a matter of record, which states that gender identity/expression anti-discrimination protection is already included in the City's employment policy. At a future date when the makeup of the Moscow City Council is more progressive or when a all-inclusive federal ENDA is passed, this matter will once again be revisited. In addition to Councilman Tom Lamar, special thanks need to be extended to Mayor Nancy Chaney and Moscow Human Rights Commissioner Tim Gresback. We should not lose sight of the fact that this is the same Council that recently extended medical insurance benefits to the domestic partners of its employees. Currently the only city in Idaho to provide this benefit.<BR/><BR/>Emilie Jackson-Edney<BR/>Co-convener<BR/>Idaho EqualitysurseduEmiliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03536773442804455782noreply@blogger.com