Public Accommodations
A story in the Indiana Daily Student about the recent conversion of some dorm restrooms to gender neutral:
Restrooms for everybody
14 residence hall bathrooms now 'gender neutral'
By Chip Cutter | Indiana Daily Student | Thursday, February 08, 2007
Some single-stall restrooms on campus have gotten a name change -- from "male" or "female" to "gender neutral."
The signage switch is designed to make the restrooms more inclusive to transgender students, said Barry Magee, assistant director of diversity education for Residential Programs and Services.
The following organizations are active supporters of INTRAA's mission, goals, and day-to-day activities:
- Bloomington TG Group
- Citizens for Civil Rights (CCR)
- Indiana Action Network (IAN)
- Indianapolis Rainbow Chamber of Commerce (IRCC)
- Indy Boyz
- Indy Girlz
- Indy PFLAG
- Stop The Amendment (STA)
- UIndyPride!
- Trans Youth and Family Advocates (TYFA)
As of December 20, 2006, the Human Rights Commission in Columbus, Indiana is now receiving complaints based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
"Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of the resolution amending the rules and regulations to change 'handicap' language to 'disability,' add voluntary mediation for age discrimination, and include voluntary mediation for sexual orientation and gender identity," stated Arlette Cooper Tinsley, the Director of the Columbus Human Rights Commission.
Get information on civil rights laws and gender identity, including how to file a complaint if you have experienced discrimination.
This fact sheet addresses some of the questions surrounding the efforts to add protections against discrimination based on Gender Identity to the Indiana Civil Rights Law. When added, the law will prohibit discrimination in the areas of employment, education, public accommodations, and housing in Indiana.
Being stopped, detained or searched by the police is an intimidating experience, especially for transgender people. Police officers have been responsible for the harassment of transgender people, and relations between law enforcement and the trans communities can be tense at times. However, some communities have built important bridges with police departments and made changes that impact how transgender people are treated. It is critical that trans people, and all people, be safe when being arrested or held by law enforcement.
The National Center for Transgender Equality offers us some advice to help us work with police departments to create appropriate policies for transgender people. This is not something we can ignore--our very lives may depend on it someday.
Another midwest victory!
A county in southwestern Michigan, Kalamazoo County (pop. 238'000), has added gender identity and sexual orientation to its nondiscrimination list. After over two years of work and trials, the change has come not a moment too soon for county workers and officials who supported the proposal.
The American Bar Association's (ABA) policy-making House of Delegates met on August 7th and 8th to debate an array of issues "critical to the profession and the nation." The ABA House voted to urge federal, state, local and territorial governments to enact legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in employment, housing and public accommodations.
To submit a story, call INTRAA toll free at 888.657.1854 or email me through the site here. Soon you will be able to submit stories directly through the website. I will update this entry when that feature is available.
