US Announces Protections For Transgender Workers

FILE - In this May 29, 2014, file photo, Denee Mallon takes part in the Trans March to Morningside Park in Albuquerque, N.M. For many activists, the top priority after marriage is federal legislation that would outla... FILE - In this May 29, 2014, file photo, Denee Mallon takes part in the Trans March to Morningside Park in Albuquerque, N.M. For many activists, the top priority after marriage is federal legislation that would outlaw a broad range of discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people. There's no such federal law now, and more than half the states do not ban discrimination by employers or public accommodations based on sexual orientation. (AP Photo/Craig Fritz, File) MORE LESS
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The government is now interpreting federal law toexplicitly prohibit workplace discrimination against transgender individuals.

That means the Justice Department will be able to bring claims on behalf of people who say they’ve been fired by a public employer based on gender identity.

In defending lawsuits, the federal government also will no longer take the position that the Civil Rights Act does not protect against workplace discrimination on the basis of gender status.

The memo released Thursday is part of a broader Obama administration effort to afford workplace protection fortransgender employees. In July, President Barack Obama ordered employment protection for gay and transgender employees who work for the U.S. government or for companies holding federal contracts.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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