Evans urges OHR to reconsider transgender rulemaking
Council of the District of Columbia
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 106
Washington, D.C. 20004
Voice: (202) 724-8058 Fax: (202) 724-8023
E-Mail: jackevans@dccouncil.us
July 29, 2008
Alexis Taylor
General Counsel
District of Columbia Office of Human Rights
441 4th Street, NW
Suite 570 North
Washington, DC 20001
Dear Ms. Taylor:
I am writing with regard to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the District of Columbia Register on July 11, 2008 and the intent of the Office of Human Rights to amend Chapter 8 of Title 4 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations governing the “Gender Identity or Expression” provision of the DC Human Rights Act of 1977.
I do not support changing the law as proposed, and urge you to reconsider the decision to do so. I cosponsored and supported the “The Human Rights Clarification Amendment Act of 2005” to protect transgendered people from discrimination. If this rulemaking were to go forward, it would have a negative effect on the many efforts we have made to protect the rights of all citizens. I believe we should give the fullest possible expression to the Council's intent under this law in order to guarantee the equal rights of all District residents.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Councilmember Jack Evans, Chair
Committee on Finance and Revenue