Can You Hear Us Now? Verizon says no to trans-inclusive policy.

In 2007, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, owner of 1,300 shares of the Verizon common stock, proposed that the company add a gender identity clause to its nondiscrimination policy. A proxy statement was put before shareholders for a vote, and the shareholders who supported the proposal received this response from the Verizon Board of Directors: “The Board shares the proponent’s interest in preventing discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender identity and believes that Verizon’s strong anti-discrimination policies and strict enforcement of its zero tolerance policy make the requested amendment to those policies unnecessary. The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.”

What would make a company who ranked number one on DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” the past two years take a less than favorable action on a policy to included gender identity and expression in its non-dsicrimination policy? I went to the source to find out, but Verizon company spokesman Bob Varettoni only offered the same statement that the board had issued previously, with no further comment. The board’s response to the UUA proxy statement went up for vote on May 1, 2008 and was defeated.

Tim Brennan, Treasurer and Vice President of Finance Unitarian Universalist Association, said, “We believe that these policies are good for the company by helping to attract and retain qualified workers.” When asked about the motivation behind the UUA’s decision to issue a proxy statement, Brennan added, “The UUA has long been committed to the full inclusion of GBLT people in all aspects of our society. We see workplace protections as an essential part of this.”

“We view the board’s response as inadequate,” said Brennan. “Essentially, they say their practices are adequate so they don’t need a policy. But as we all know, practices are easily changed depending on who is in charge. A corporate-wide policy adopted by the board sends the strongest signal to the workforce and the wider community that the company will not tolerate this kind of discrimination.”

The UUA is not backing down from its stand on workplace discrimination. According to Brennan, “We would welcome a continuing dialogue with the company. If the policy is not instituted by next year, we plan to re-file the resolution.” Persistence seems to be the UUA’s game plan on this issue and ensuring workplace protections for transgender individuals.

What is happening at Verizon is happening at many other companies across the country: While LGBT people are united in our fight for civil rights, those rights we win are not universally applied. As a gay man, for example, I am statutorily protected from workplace discrimination; however, if I were a trans-man (born female or inter-sexed), the basis for the discrimination I suffer may not be my sexual orientation but rather my gender identity.

If that’s a little tough to wrap your head around, the fact of the matter is this: Being transgender does not always mean that you self-identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Verizon seems unable to distinguish between sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, and that alone brings into question how “friendly” Verizon really is to LGBT employees.

As we see issues like the recent pregnancy of a trans-man in California beginning to make their way into the media and our lives, our society must start to address the differences among LGBT people and understand that a movement that speaks with one voice does not always comprise people with identical experiences. Verizon is just one more company that is in desperate need of education from its customers, stockholders, and LGBT community leaders.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, May 9

Yoga and Your Body will be taught by a yoga specialist/instructor from East Meets West Yoga. The classes will be given at the Pride Center of WNY. No prior yoga experience is needed. Mats will be provided by East Meets West Yoga. 5:30-6:30pm. To register please call 852-PRIDE (ext. 7743).

Pride Film Society. Before Night Falls. Pride Center of WNY, 18 Trinity Place (852-PRIDE / pridecenterwny.org). 7-9pm.

Saturday, May 10

Gay Bingo St. John’s Grace Episcopal Church, 51 Colonial Circle. Doors open at 6pm.

Buffalo Bears at Ms. Kitty’s, 948 Main Street (mskittysbuffalo.com). 8pm.

Comedian Sabrina Matthews (sabrinamatthews.com). Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk Street (855-3931 / mohawkplace.com). 8pm.

Tuesday, May 13

Human Sexuality: The Torah and Beyond. Therapist Andre Toth, specialist in matters of sexuality, will do a presentation on issues of human sexuality. Temple Sinai, 50 Alberta Drive, Amherst. 7:30pm.

Thursday, May 15

Gay & Lesbian Youth Services Open House. 371 Delaware Avenue (855-0221 / glswny.org). 3-6:30pm.

Buffalo has a large and diverse gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. For further information about its numerous organizations and activities, visit www.waygaywny.com, or call the Western New York Pride Center (852-7743). Gaywatch listings are free and may be edited for length. Publication is not guaranteed; please send updates to proudones@pridecenterwny.org.Organizations interested in classified advertising Artvoice can call 881-6124. Press announcements can be sent to editorial@artvoice.com. Photos are welcome!