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Discrimination Against Transgender Individuals

In 1993, the Minnesota Legislature added an amendment to the Minnesota Human Rights Act which prohibited many forms of discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation”, a term that is broadly interpreted to protect many groups, including transgender individuals, from discrimination. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released guidelines for employers regarding bathroom access for transgender employees, stating that each individual employee should have the right to use the restroom they are most comfortable using. Under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s interpretation of Title VII, transgender employees are protected from being discriminated against based on the confusion, anxiety, or preferences of other employees. This can include being made to use an inconvenient private restroom for the sake of other employees’ comfort, your workplace failing to use your correct pronouns,  termination because of prejudice against transgender individuals and more. If you believe you have been discriminated against because you are transgender, gender-nonconforming or transitioning, contact an attorney as soon as you are able.