Announcements

• View the Lessons on Values video from Ellen and JC Penny posted on the DiversityInc website.
   
• The federal government prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  The sexual orientation policy has been in place since 1998.  Gender identity was recently added.  Read the FDA, EEOC and OPM policy statements below.
  
  EEOC’s statement on non-discrimination practices in the federal government.  
   

  OPM’s statements on non-discrimination practices in the federal government.
  http://www.opm.gov/er/address2/guide01.asp
  http://www.opm.gov/diversity/Transgender/Guidance.asp
   
  FDA’s statement on non-discrimination practices in the FDA.
  
  
• The U.S Department of Transportation (DoT) includes gender identity in their EEO policy statements.  View the PDF statements here.
  DoT's EEO Policy Statement
  DoT's Policy Statement on the Prevention of Harassment
  
  
• As a follow-up to the LGBT listening sessions HHS recently held across the country,  today the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a summary update - “Better Health and Well-Being: Making Improvements for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender (LGBT) Americans.” 

  The document summarizes specific actions that HHS has taken through 2011, at the direction of President Obama and Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, to promote equal treatment of LGBT Americans, provide enhanced resources for LGBT health issues, and develop better information regarding LGBT health needs.  The update also summarizes how the Affordable Care Act is improving access to health coverage for LGBT Americans.

• View other LGBT news items by visiting the Q News page.