Student denied job in Florida because of gender identity

The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund filed a complaint with the Florida Commission on Human Relations after a woman was denied a position with McDonald's because of her gender identity.

The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) filed a complaint regarding a refusal to hire 17-year-old Zikerria Bellamy because of her gender identity.

Zikerria Bellamy is denied McDonald's position because of gender identity. Photo courtesy of TDTDT
Zikerria Bellamy was denied a McDonald's position because of gender identity. Photo courtesy of TLDEF.

Bellamy, after applying online for a shift manager and crew leader position at a McDonald’s in Orlando, received a voicemail from a current manager informing her she was not being considered for the position because she had lied about being a woman. The manager then proceeded to call Bellamy a “liar” and “faggot”.

According to TLDEF, Bellamy is only one example of discrimination in the workplace that commonly targets members of the transgender community.

“Transgender people face tremendous discrimination in the workplace,” TLDEF reports. “According to a recent survey by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality, 47 percent of transgender people report being fired, or denied a job or promotion, just because of who they are.”

While there is currently no law in Florida protecting individuals from discrimination based on gender identity and expression, the states Human Rights Act protects individuals from discrimination based on sex and disability. TLDEF has since contacted the Florida Commission on Human Relations claiming McDonald’s violated this act.

TLDEF also reports that discrimination against individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression in Florida may soon be made illegal with the recent introduction of a bill to the states legislature.

“The Competitive Workforce Bill, which would add gender identity and sexual orientation to the Florida Civil Rights Act, was introduced in the Florida legislature on November 20,” TLDEF reported on their Web site.

For more information on the progress in this case visit TLDEF online by clicking here.

-Christopher Clevenger

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