Hawaii has passed employment antidiscrimination protections into law based on gender equality. Equality Hawaii’s and HRC’s joint press release on the bill’s passage:

Equality Hawaii, Human Rights Campaign Applaud Hawaii Legislature for Passing Transgender Employment Protections

Equality Hawaii, Human Rights Campaign Applaud Hawaii Legislature for Passing Transgender Employment Protections

4/12/2011

Thumbnail link to joint Equality Hawaii and HRC Press Release: quality Hawaii, Human Rights Campaign Applaud Hawaii Legislature for Passing Transgender Employment ProtectionsHONOLULU – Equality Hawaii, the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, and the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, today congratulated the Hawaii Senate for passing a bill codifying prohibitions against discrimination in employment on the basis of gender identity by a 22 to 2 vote. The bill moves to Governor Abercrombie for his signature.

“The march towards full equality in the Aloha State continues,” said Alan Spector, Equality Hawaii Co-Chair. “Providing employment protections to transgender citizens in Hawaii is a victory for civil rights and equal treatment under the law for all residents of our great state.”

“Following the passage of civil unions for Hawaii’s gay and lesbian residents, the enactment of employment protections for the state’s transgender people is another step forward in our fight towards equality in the Aloha State,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “No one should be denied employment possibilities because of who they are, regardless of their gender identity or expression.”

The Human Rights Campaign and Equality Hawaii have worked closely together to build both public and legislative support for this legislation. Through this joint effort, thousands of phone calls, emails and handwritten letters have been sent to legislators urging them to approve this legislation.

Hawaii law already included these protections in Housing and Public Accommodations. Employment Protections based on sexual orientation were passed in 1991.

Equality Hawaii is dedicated to securing equality for all Hawaii’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families. www.EqualityHawaii.org

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. www.HRC.org