Transgender Protection under Title VII

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects individuals against employment discrimination on the bases of race, color, national origin, sex and religion. Courts have struggled with interpretation of the federal statute and over the years discussed whether gender identity is protected under Title VII. Historically, the courts have not been sympathetic to transgender people and held that they were excluded from Title VII protection, even though it was obvious that they were discriminated because of their sex change. But finally, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that transgender individuals are protected under Title VII.