Ashley Yang-Fired By The TSA For Being Trans

Trans people when we fly already have concerns about undergoing TSA screenings and the potential for getting harassed and disrespected when we do.  Now come word about a Transportation Security Administration screener who when she was discovered to be trans, was harassed and fired by the TSA weeks before her two year probationary period expired




The TSA asserted that in order for Ashley to work as a female, she had to undergo a sex reassignment surgery.  Yang pointed out she is not a 'man' and refused to go to work as a man, so she was terminated..

When the San Francisco based Transgender Law Center heard about Ashley's case, they filed a complaint against the TSA noting that Title 7 protected Ashley against discrimination as a transgender federal employee.

The TSA eventually reached a financial settlement with Yang that included her back pay and payment for pain and suffering. TSA was also required to undergo training about transgender employees.

“I see how important job protection is,” Ashley said. “I should be able to work checkpoints as who I am. I really want to change those policies; I really want to push forward in some way."
 
No kidding, Ashley.   It's one of the reasons I've been griping, bitching and taking trips to DC since 1998 to lobby for the successful passage of ENDA.

As long as the GOP is running thangs in the House, sadly it ain't happening. 

2011 Williams Watch-'Williams'-don Gets Started

Break out the strawberries and cream people because the 2011 edition of 'Williams'-don, AKA The Championships got underway across The Pond today.

I'm happy because my favorite tennis playing siblings are there in full effect at their fave Grand Slam event.  

How much of an effect and whether one of them will be taking home another Venus (Williams) Rosewater Dish we'll find out in two weeks.

Nope, they aren't playing Ladies Doubles in this 2011 edition of Wimbledon to the relief of the doubles field...

Serena was seeded at No. 7 and has yet to play her opening round match with France's Aravane Rezai.  Big Sis was seeded No. 23 and thankfully ended up on the opposite side of the Ladies Singles draw from Little Sis.   If they handle their tennis playing business, there's a possibility of another Sister-Sister act in the Wimbledon finals.

Speanking of handling tennis playing business, Venus has already played her opening round match with Uzbekistan's Akgul Amanmuradova and beat her in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.  Venus' second round opponent will be Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm

Good luck ladies, and may you both have a long and successful run in this tournament.