By Clarence Johnson
Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle
Dec 29, 1994
In a move that many city officials said was long overdue, San Francisco outlawed discrimination against transvestites, transsexuals and cross-dressers.
The Board of Supervisors unanimously passed an ordinance Monday night barring discrimination based on "gender identity" in employment, housing, health care, social services, public accommodations, the granting of city contracts and more.
The new term will now join race, religion, color, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability and place of birth in the police and administratives codes that prohibit public discrimination.
"This legislation . . . adds to the classification of persons protected by our Human Rights Commission . . . and gives them the respect they are entitled to," said Supervisor Terence Hallinan, who sponsored the measure.
"We have a chance to make history. We are creating a civil right . . . and it will affect attitudes all over America. this is a proud day to be a San Franciscan."
With about a dozen transgender people leading the way, the chamber erupted with applause when the measure passed.
The new law, similar to those in Santa Cruz, Seattle and Minnesota, was especially liberating for Doris Robinson, who once quit a clerical job, frustrated after weeks of snickers, whispers and stares.
"It was like being forced out," said Robinson, who because she was born male but identifies herself as female could not even use the rest rooms atwork. "It became a real emotional and mental thing. I tried the Human Rights Commission, but there was nothing they could do. They didn't even take me seriously."
Now, the commission is required to investigate all such complaints, attempt to mediate disputes when possible and refer unfair practices to the city attorney for legal remedy when necessary.
"Now we we can branch out to the housing we need," sighed Robinson. "We won't be perpetually isolated in the Tenderloin."
Over the past five years, the city received more than 40 complaints from its estimated 6,000 transgender residents. With the new law, officialsexpect more than 50 complaints a year.
"The largest complaint is in employment -- people who were in transition while on the job," said commission investigator Larry Brinkin.
"When males start coming to work dressed as a female, they are either fired or harassed so severely they quit."
There have also been complaints from people who were asked to leave restaurants, stores and malls -- or were rudely ignored while there.
"At night (we are) automatically considered to be prostitutes, and thatUs not right," said Shelley Salieri, a City Hall activist and 20-year transgender female who helped write the law. "We are doctors, lawyers, police officers and zoo keepers. This will end a long history of discrimination."
In addition, there have been charges against city departments,particularly the police, whose officers have been accused of treating transgenders with disdain and sometimes violence.
"We've had transgenders turned away from substance abuse centers and homeless shelters," said Brinkin. "They have a difficult time getting medical care and are treated like freaks when they show up. And there was nothing we could do without this law behind us."
No doubt, the most difficult thing now will be regulating rest rooms under the law mandating "reasonable accommodations."
"But if some rest rooms have the ability to provide privacy -- like stalls -- we're asking that people be allowed to use whatever matches their gender identity," said Brinkin. "If nudity is involved -- like community showers-- your genitals should match the facility."