Non-discrimination legislation advances in Delaware

Legislation aimed at outlawing discrimination on the basis of gender identity passed in the Delaware Senate today and now heads to the House. The Task Force has been working extensively with Equality Delaware over the past year to provide technical assistance and trainings. Technical assistance has included help in analyzing the language of the bill, the Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Act of 2013 (SB 97), as well as providing legislative strategy assistance. Trainings included leadership development for transgender Delawareans, trans ally trainings and tell your story trainings to prepare individuals to give testimony about their own experiences of discrimination.

Delaware is one of five states in the nation that currently has nondiscrimination protections on the basis of sexual orientation but not on the basis of gender identity. The other states are Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Maryland and New York. The Task Force is committed to ensuring protections in those states as well as passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to provide federal employment protections. The Task Force will continue to work with Equality Delaware to pass this vital piece of legislation and you can learn more and take action on this issue on their website.