WHEREAS, There are no Federal or State of Michigan employment protections to safeguard lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people on the job; and

WHEREAS, "Gender identity or expression" means a gender-related identity, appearance, expression or behavior of an individual, whether actual or perceived, and regardless of the individual's assigned sex at birth; and

WHEREAS, Transgender people are systematically discriminated against in housing, education, employment, access to health care and many other aspects of daily life; and

WHEREAS, Transgender students and staff alike are at serious risk for harassment, rejection, exclusion, abuse, disrespect, violence, and conflict with peers. They may be at risk for compromised grading, and promotion and tenure vulnerabilities, regardless of the eligibility of the individual. Existing policies that offer protections with respect to sexual orientation do not protect individuals based on their gender identity or expression; and

WHEREAS, The University of Michigan commitment to diversity states that "Our vital and robust learning environment relies on the exchange of diverse experiences and points of view. Only by bringing together people from many different cultures, traditions, and backgrounds can we fully equip the next generation to engage with present and future challenges and opportunities"; and

WHEREAS, The AFL-CIO Executive Council has called upon all affiliates and state and local labor bodies "to pursue strengthened prohibitions against discrimination in our communities and in our workplaces" and to "stand with our allies and the other members of the civil rights community to oppose all forms of discrimination based upon race, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, religion or age;" and

WHEREAS, The American Federation of Teachers has stated "as trade unionists, we believe that our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters unequivocally deserve the same protections and benefits as their brothers and sisters. For that reason, trade unions have been securing groundbreaking contracts that provide our transgender, bisexual, lesbian, and gay, brothers and sisters with a patchwork of protections and benefits. We have fought vigilantly to secure the rights of these workers through explicit anti-discrimination language;" and

WHEREAS, National Pride at Work, AFL-CIO, believes an injury to one is an injury to all and that "the time for transgender inclusion is now". Pride at Work stood in solidarity with MFT&SRP local 3550, the Graduate Employees' Organization, and provided key organizing and educational support for their successful contract negotiations; and

WHEREAS, The Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel has played a critical role in fighting discrimination on the basis of "gender identity or expression" through its support of the 2004-2005 contract negotiations of MFT&SRP local 3550, the Graduate Employees' Organization, and has a long institutional history of leadership in securing better working conditions and better lives for members of all groups facing pervasive discrimination; NOW THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED: That the Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel call on the Regents of the University of Michigan to implement the recommendations of their Task Force on Campus Climate for Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian, and Gay Faculty, Staff, and Students; namely, that the Regents amend Bylaw 14.06 of the University of Michigan to provide non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of "gender identity or expression," that the University expand the Standard Practice Guide and other relevant policies to prevent discrimination based on "gender identity or expression", and that the University work toward building diverse and inclusive communities at the University of Michigan; and, THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY

RESOLVED: That the Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel will stand in solidarity with transgender workers and raise our collective voice in resolute defiance of all forms of discrimination based upon gender identity or expression.