Select a region
Help is available for businesses who don’t want to fall foul of discrimination legislation like Condor did over their toilets this week.
Trans* Jersey was set up to support transgender people in the Island and to make sure that they are getting fair treatment under the law.
Earlier this week, the issue of transgender rights was raised in a local context when a Discrimination Tribunal ordered Condor Ferries to change the signs on its toilet doors, update its equality and diversity policies and update its employee assistance programme.
The case was brought by a Condor passenger, Ms Erin Bisson, a transgender person.
In a statement, Trans* Jersey say that it’s not surprising that the issues have arisen, and have stressed that they are available to help businesses understand the requirements of the law and how they can keep on the right side of it.
They have offered free one-hour training sessions to any businesses who want to talk about the issues.
The statement said: “It is not surprising that the first transgender discrimination case is about the use of gender-segregated facilities. This is an area that always causes problems for the trans community because being trans is not well-understood by the majority of people.
“When someone is in the early stages of transitioning using a public toilet is one of the areas that worries them most. Trans women find this more difficult than trans men because of the prejudice that exists in society.
“Education is the key to breaking down this prejudice. Understanding what it means to be transgender and, crucially, what it doesn’t mean will help the trans community to lead safer and fulfilled lives but also help businesses stay out of the tribunal.
“Trans* Jersey offer a free one hour training session to all and any businesses.
“We hope that it is the last Jersey employer who will find themselves in the tribunal for a case involving the use of toilets or changing rooms by transgender people. There are bound to be some teething issues with any law. If organisations are not sure how to deal with trans issues, please contact us at Trans* Jersey and we are happy to offer advice.”
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.