News release from
Barney Frank
_________________________________________________________
Congressman, 4th
District, Massachusetts
2252 Rayburn Building · Washington, D.C. 20515 · (202) 225-5931
September 23, 2008
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Steven Adamske 202-225-7141
Joe Racalto 202-225-5931
FRANK HAILS
DECISION IN SUPPORT OF TRANSGENDER RIGHTS
Congressman
Barney Frank today welcomed the thoughtful decision by U.S. District
Judge James Robertson holding that the Library of Congress broke the law
against sex discrimination by denying a job to an applicant solely
because she transitioned from male to female.
“The
Library of Congress dishonored us by rescinding its job offer to Diane
Schroer that had been made to her when she was David Schroer. Ms.
Schroer was eminently qualified both before and after her transition to
be a terrorism analyst, and I was very disappointed that the Library of
Congress acted as it did. I did at the time try to persuade the
Director of the Library of Congress, Mr. Billington, to drop this act
of discrimination and I was troubled when he refused to do so. I
have been working with legislative leaders to find a way for us to
reverse this policy carried out by an institution that bears the name
of Congress, and Judge Robertson’s decision hastens the process of
extending justice to Ms. Schroer.
“I
have written to the Library of Congress strongly urging that there be
no appeal of this decision, and I will continue to consult with
Congressional leaders to take the steps that we have to take to prevent
such an appeal if there is any way we can do that. Judge
Robertson’s thoughtful decision, of course, extends beyond the case of
Ms. Schroer and makes the strong point that a decision to rescind a job
offer because someone has changed their sex clearly constitutes sex
discrimination. I will be working with my colleagues to do
everything we can to defend the integrity of this decision not just in
the case of Ms. Schroer but across the board.”###
September 23,
2008
Dr. James
H. Billington
The Library
Of Congress
Room LM
608, James
Madison Building
101 Independence Avenue,
S.E.
Washington,
D.C. 20540
Dear Dr.
Billington,
I assume
you remember that I was very distressed at your insistence on withdrawing a job
offer from Diane Schroer, which had been extended to her on her merits, on the
sole ground that she had transitioned from a man to a woman. My recollection is
that you said at the time that you could not interfere in a personnel matter,
which baffled me – and in fact angered me – because what I was talking about was
a promulgation of a policy of nondiscrimination that was well within your
authority to make. In any case, that is now moot because a court has ruled –
correctly in my view – that you discriminated against Ms. Schroer.
The
question now is whether or not you will appeal. I strongly urge you not to
appeal. I will be working with my Congressional colleagues because it would be
a great source of stress to us if you were to – as an institution that bears our
name – appeal a decision that is plainly in the interest of fairness. Please
inform me as to your intention on this matter, and again I want to stress that I
think it is essential that you accept this decision and forego any attempt to
overturn it.
BARNEY FRANK
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