Gender - Based policies and Movements
The Big picture
Although discrimination based on gender identity has been around for years, there has only been a change, or acknowledgement, of it in national policy just recently.
Laws
The Equal Pay Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, enforces and prohibits the act of discrimination based on gender identity under the assertion that it is discrimination of sex, which is covered in Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, but wasn't brought to light until 2012 in the case Macy v. Department of Justice.
Civil Service Reform Act
Under this act federal government applicants and employees are protected from discrimination of personal actions. This act of 1978 was recently reformed to include sexual orientation and gender identity status, in addition to the original race, ethnicity, sex, religion (etc).
Executive Orders
Executive Order 11478, amended by Executive Orders 13087 and 13152, ensures that equal opportunities be given to all persons and prohibits employers from discrimination based on gender identity. This order promotes the full realization of equal employment opportunity through continuing affirmative programs. It states that "this policy of equal opportunity applies to and must be an integral part of every aspect of personnel policy and practice in the employment, development, advancement, and treatment of civilian employees of the federal government, to the extent permitted by law." (Section I)
on a smaller note...
As of August 14, 2014 at least 200 cities and counties prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of gender identity in employment ordinances that governed all public and private employers in those jurisdictions. In addition to this, there are over 730 colleges and universities with policies that directly relate to the prohibition of discrimination based on one's gender identity or expression.
In Maryland, there are 17 colleges that have enlisted these policies against discrimination including Towson University. Under the University System of Maryland there is a policy that specifically prohibits discrimination against students, faculty, and staff
on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and expression in academic admissions, financial aid, educational services, housing, student programs, and activities. (VI-1.05 POLICY OF NON-DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND
GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, 2012)
In the surrounding community there are various programs you can get involved with in order to speed up the process of equality. Programs like Teaching Tolerance work as guides to educate the community about how to properly interact with someone who rejects the binary gender model. In this organization they focus on things such as personal pronoun usage and identification, the gender spectrum, restroom rules, and the creation of inclusive school climates. There is even a conference for gender equality hosted in Philadelphia each year. The Trans-Health Conference's purpose is to educate trans and non-conforming gender individuals of the healthcare and support they can take part in. They strive to create a warm and discrimination free environment for all who attend.
References:
Cities & Counties w/ Non-Discrimination Ordinances that Include Gender. (2014, January 1). Retrieved December 8, 2014, from http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/cities-and-counties-with-non-discrimination-ordinances-that-include-gender
Facts about Discrimination in Federal Government Employment Based on Marital Status, Political Affiliation, Status as a Parent, Sexual Orientation, or Transgender (Gender Identity) Status. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2014, from http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/otherprotections.cfm
Rickett, A. (2014, December 5). The Problem with Pronouns. Retrieved December 8, 2014, from http://www.tolerance.org/
Cities & Counties w/ Non-Discrimination Ordinances that Include Gender. (2014, January 1). Retrieved December 8, 2014, from http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/cities-and-counties-with-non-discrimination-ordinances-that-include-gender
Facts about Discrimination in Federal Government Employment Based on Marital Status, Political Affiliation, Status as a Parent, Sexual Orientation, or Transgender (Gender Identity) Status. (n.d.). Retrieved December 8, 2014, from http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/otherprotections.cfm
Rickett, A. (2014, December 5). The Problem with Pronouns. Retrieved December 8, 2014, from http://www.tolerance.org/