Despite published reports that DART’s Board of Directors plans to add transgender employees to the agency’s nondiscrimination policy tonight, LGBT advocates say they aren’t calling off the dogs.
After all, DART officials have been saying for months they intend to amend the policy in response to allegations of discrimination against a transgender bus driver. Then suddenly last week, the Board of Directors inserted a one-word amendment that would both gut the current proposal and rescind 15-year-old protections for gay DART employees.
The Dallas Morning News published an article this morning saying the DART board is expected to remove the amendment tonight, and reword the policy so it is fully inclusive of LGBT workers. But Rafael McDonnell, a spokesman for Resource Center Dallas who’s helped spearhead the LGBT community’s efforts, said he isn’t taking any chances.
“We still need a packed room tonight,” McDonnell said. “This is not a done deal until the board members vote.”
McDonnell said those slated to address the DART board tonight include RCD associate executive director Cece Cox; Equality Texas political director Randall Terrell; Lisa Scheps, executive director of the Transgender Education Network of Texas; Rebecca Solomon from Bank of America; Edward Dykes from American Airlines; and openly gay former Dallas City Councilmen John Loza and Chris Luna.
The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at DART headquarters, 1401 Pacific Ave. in Dallas.
1 Comment
Since this hit mainstream media we need to ensure those who would oppose us don’t have a seat. While few, there are negative comments @ DMN.
Time to show our resolve that we in Dallas are united.