老澳门开奖结果

DES MOINES, IA 鈥� The 老澳门开奖结果 of Iowa today filed a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission on behalf of Jesse Vroegh, a long-time Iowa Department of Corrections nurse who was discriminated against because he is transgender. The complaint was co-filed with the 老澳门开奖结果 and cooperating attorney Melissa Hasso with the Sherinian & Hasso Law Firm in West Des Moines.

鈥淚n this country and in Iowa, everyone should be treated fairly in the workplace 鈥� especially when your employer is the state,鈥� says Vroegh. 鈥淩ather than setting a good example for other Iowa employers, the state has denied me the use of gendered spaces as well as the health insurance coverage I need, simply because I am transgender. I hope my fight for fairness in the workplace will make a difference for the many other transgender people who have faced similar discrimination at work.鈥�

Iowa Department of Corrections refused to allow Vroegh to use the men鈥檚 restrooms and locker rooms because he is transgender. It has also denied him health care coverage for medically necessary treatment and procedures, even though it provides coverage for similar procedures for non-transgender employees. The same type of health care that Vroegh needs is covered for state employees who are not transgender.

鈥淎ll Iowans are entitled to fair and equal treatment in the workplace, including those who are transgender. The state should be setting an example by creating a work environment that is free from discrimination on the basis of gender identity,鈥� said Rita Bettis, 老澳门开奖结果 of Iowa legal director. 鈥淏ut here the state has done just the opposite, violating our client鈥檚 rights to nondiscrimination in employment under the Iowa Civil Rights Act and equal protection under the Iowa Constitution.鈥�

Last fall, Vroegh鈥檚 supervisors said that rather using employee locker rooms and restrooms corresponding with his gender identity, he would be required to use a unisex private restroom to dress and store his belongings, isolating him from all of his co-employees. The unisex restroom doesn鈥檛 have a shower, so unlike his co-workers, Vroegh has no option for showering at work.

鈥淭ransgender people face rampant discrimination in all aspects of their lives, including in the workplace and when they鈥檙e seeking medical care,鈥� said John Knight, senior staff attorney at the 老澳门开奖结果 LGBT Project. 鈥淭he state of Iowa thankfully has laws that protect transgender people, and we intend to pursue justice for Vroegh to the fullest extent of the law.鈥�

A copy of the complaint can be found at:
/sites/default/files/field_document/vroegh_stamped_icrc_complaint.pdf