Q: I’m a transgender woman, and it is time for me to transition at work, but I am concerned about being able to keep my job. Will the law protect me from the discrimination I might face because I’m transitioning?
A: As far as we’ve come in the march towards equality, there are still many legal hurdles for the transgender community, particularly when it comes to employment — but we’re making significant progress in the courts.
A recent Lambda Legal case, Glenn v. Brumby et al., is an example of a positive ruling where a transgender woman faced discrimination when she found the courage to transition at work. Vandy Beth Glenn was working as a legislative editor in Atlanta, Ga., for two years. After working with her doctor and establishing that gender transition was necessary (Glenn was assigned male sex at birth, but has a female gender identity), she informed her immediate supervisor at the Georgia General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Counsel that she planned to transition. The head of the office subsequently called her to his office, confirmed that she intended to transition, and fired her on the spot.
Lambda Legal filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Glenn, asserting that her termination was a result of sex discrimination – a violation of the U.S. equal protection guarantee. On Dec. 6, 2011, only five days after a three-judge panel of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments, they unanimously upheld a District Court ruling that the Georgia General Assembly had discriminated against Glenn based on her nonconformity with gender stereotypes occurring as a result of her intent to transition. Three days after the ruling, she returned to work.
Lambda Legal is very excited by the impact of our victory in Glenn v. Brumby et al., but there is still a lot of work to be done to advance workplace equality for transgender people.
Sixteen states and the District of Columbia prohibit discrimination in private and public employment on the basis of gender identity/expression: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Vermont. A growing number of cities and counties have implemented non-discrimination ordinances prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity for both public and private employees in the absence of a comparable state law.
To learn more about your rights at work and how to transition smoothly at work, read our Transgender Rights Toolkit: Workplace Rights & Wrongs here: www.lambdalegal.org/publications/trt_workplace-rights-wrongs
For information on Lambda Legal’s work with transgender rights, see lambdalegal.org/issues/transgender-rights
If you have any questions or feel you have been discriminated against because of your gender identity/expression, please contact our help desk at 866-542-8336 or visit lambdalegal.org/help.
Greg Nevins is the Supervising Senior Staff Attorney in the Southern Regional Office of Lambda Legal, the national organization that works to secure full civil rights for LGBT people. Nevins was part of Glenn’s legal team in Glenn v. Brumby et al.
The Perfect Jean
Honestly, I don’t know why it took so long for stretch pants to enter men’s wardrobe. We’ve been looking at stretch pants for years, wondering what the appeal was and why women always wore them everywhere until I had my first pair of jeans with a bit of stretch. And don’t even get me started on my above-the-knee stretch shorts!
While I was mainly a Levi’s and Khakis guy, I had my first stretch outfit with the Mizen+Main pants, dress shirt, and quarter zip sweater. Complete game-changer in apparel, and where have they been all my life?
That’s where The Perfect Jean comes in. They contacted me to inform me about their “unbelievably comfortable stretch denim.” I checked out their site and perused the jeans and their descriptions (which are hilarious, by the way), and I knew I needed to try them.
When shopping for jeans on their site, they break it down for you starting with the fit you prefer.
When they arrived, I tried them on without first washing them because I’m a kid in the candy store when it comes to new things. They looked and felt like a regular pair of denim jeans but with a stretch. I walked around the house bending, sitting, and stretching my legs to test them out–sure enough, they bent and moved along with me, unlike my other jeans.
Me in my Perfect JeanJoe Morales
What is Stretch Denim?
Stretch denim is a type of denim containing a small amount of elastane, a synthetic fiber that allows for stretch and flexibility in the fabric. This addition of elastane provides the perfect balance between comfort and style, making stretch denim the ideal choice for anyone looking for a more comfortable pair of jeans. Think spandex, lycra, or any stretchy material.
My Thoughts on The Perfect Jean
Pros
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I gave them their initial wash in cold water and didn’t put them in the dryer. I don’t dry my jeans or trousers in the dryer so they will last longer. I love how comfortable they are, and how much stretch they have is perfect. I love the deep indigo color.
The only thing I would do differently is change the fit type because after wearing them for a few months, I felt the fit wasn’t quite there, but that was on me and how I ordered them. I did end up drying the jeans in the dryer so they would shrink a little. They fit much better now after the controlled drying, but they’re still a little loose in the waist and butt and a little longer than I like, which is fine because I can take them to a tailor and have them hemmed.
How to Choose The Perfect Jean
Form fitting jeansJoe Morales
The descriptions say it all. You can choose between five cuts and about ten colors; waist and length are your standard options. Every jean is made from cotton, polyester, viscose, and spandex and has about 22 percent elasticity! These jeans are also perfect for travel since they weigh under 11 ounces; you can shove them in your bag or luggage without causing a huge increase in luggage weight.
Fit
One of the first things you need to determine is the fit, and The Perfect Jean has them all. You can choose between skinny, slim, slim thick, athletic, bootcut, or Thick Thicc. Your style is based on personal preferences and body type, but if you aren’t sure, look at the different examples from The Perfect Jean site.
Material
While stretch is essential, you don't want a pair of jeans that are too stretchy. Look for a pair with just enough stretch to make them comfortable but not so much that they lose shape over time. Luckily, these jeans are made of roughly 67 percent cotton; at least mine are. That means they will be more durable than if you were to rely on just stretch alone, which can break down quickly.
Wash
There is a lot of talk about how denim should have a wash that complements your skin tone, whether a dark wash or a lighter, distressed wash. I’m not sure if I necessarily believe that. This is where your personal style comes into play. My personal style is staying with classic colors because I can build a wardrobe on specific pieces. Choose whatever color works best for you, as long as they fit well!
The Benefits of Stretch Denim
The most obvious benefit of stretch denim is the added comfort. The fabric moves with you, making them more comfortable for long periods. They don’t bunch up in the wrong places.
Another benefit of The Perfect Jean, or TPJ, as they’re known to call themselves, is that they strive to be as sustainable as possible. They teamed up with the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), which promotes better standards for cotton production worldwide.
How to Style Stretch Denim Jeans
The Perfect Jean is versatile and can be styled in many different ways. Usually, my go-to is casual wear with a simple T-shirt and sneakers, but I have been known to dress them up a bit with a button-down or sweater paired with my suede Chelsea boots or Grant Stone Plain Toe dress shoes.
Where to Buy The Perfect Jean
You can purchase your pair of Ther Perfect Jean by visiting their website and following the fit guidelines, choosing your favorite colors, and choosing your waist and length sizes.
My Final Thoughts on The Perfect Jean
Jeans are a wardrobe staple for everyone, offering style and comfort. However, traditional denim can sometimes be restrictive and uncomfortable, especially regarding movement. Stretch denim—or any stretch clothing—is a game-changer. While I can’t tell you to buy a pair of The Perfect Jeans, I can certainly recommend them. I wear my Perfect Jeans once or twice a week, and they’re comfortable when I feel a bit lazy, yet, they’re a stylish option when I am going out. The next time I order some, I’m trying a different fit, but what color should l get?