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News release from
Barney Frank
Congressman, 4th
District, Massachusetts
September 23, 2008 FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRANK HAILS
DECISION IN SUPPORT OF TRANSGENDER RIGHTS “The Library of Congress dishonored us by rescinding its job offer to Diane Schroer that had been made to her when she was David Schroer. Ms. Schroer was eminently qualified both before and after her transition to be a terrorism analyst, and I was very disappointed that the Library of Congress acted as it did. I did at the time try to persuade the Director of the Library of Congress, Mr. Billington, to drop this act of discrimination and I was troubled when he refused to do so. I have been working with legislative leaders to find a way for us to reverse this policy carried out by an institution that bears the name of Congress, and Judge Robertson’s decision hastens the process of extending justice to Ms. Schroer. “I have written to the Library of Congress strongly urging that there be no appeal of this decision, and I will continue to consult with Congressional leaders to take the steps that we have to take to prevent such an appeal if there is any way we can do that. Judge Robertson’s thoughtful decision, of course, extends beyond the case of Ms. Schroer and makes the strong point that a decision to rescind a job offer because someone has changed their sex clearly constitutes sex discrimination. I will be working with my colleagues to do everything we can to defend the integrity of this decision not just in the case of Ms. Schroer but across the board.” ###
September 23,
2008 Dr. James
H. Billington The Library
Of Congress Room LM
608, Dear Dr.
Billington, I assume
you remember that I was very distressed at your insistence on withdrawing a job
offer from Diane Schroer, which had been extended to her on her merits, on the
sole ground that she had transitioned from a man to a woman. My recollection is
that you said at the time that you could not interfere in a personnel matter,
which baffled me – and in fact angered me – because what I was talking about was
a promulgation of a policy of nondiscrimination that was well within your
authority to make. In any case, that is now moot because a court has ruled –
correctly in my view – that you discriminated against Ms. Schroer.
The
question now is whether or not you will appeal. I strongly urge you not to
appeal. I will be working with my Congressional colleagues because it would be
a great source of stress to us if you were to – as an institution that bears our
name – appeal a decision that is plainly in the interest of fairness. Please
inform me as to your intention on this matter, and again I want to stress that I
think it is essential that you accept this decision and forego any attempt to
overturn it. BARNEY FRANK
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