Look What Happens When Discrimination Does Not Take Place - Qualified People Get Jobs

The phones at NCTE have been ringing off the hook today as the media follows up on our announcement that Amanda Simpson, a member of NCTE’s Board of Directors, has been appointed by the Obama Administration to a position in the Department of Commerce. She will be serving as a Senior Technical Advisor in the Bureau of Industry and Security. “What is noteworthy about this appointment is not that a transgender person is serving this administration—many transgender people work for the federal government—the real story is that Amanda Simpson was selected based on her exemplary credentials and not because she is transgender,” commented Mara Keisling, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. “Countless transgender people are overlooked every day for jobs they can do very well. When an employer does not discriminate based on gender identity, they have access to more highly qualified people. That’s what happened here.” NCTE applauds the Obama Administration for their commitment to judge applicants based on their skills and abilities, rather than on factors not related to the job. President Obama has throughout his political career—including in his Senate office, in his campaign staff, on his transition team, and now for federal workers during his Presidency—disallowing discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. In June, his administration issued guidelines confirming federal workers are protected against this type of discrimination. Click to read NCTE’s announcement about the appointment.