Well, this is certainly a step in the right direction. The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a revision to its Equal Opportunity policy, which now covers current and future federal government employees based on gender identity and pregnancy.

Ms. Magazine explains,

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis updated policies on gender discrimination as part of an annual requirement for a written policy statement expressing its commitment to equal opportunity in employment. “I am expressing my personal commitment to ensure that the U.S. Department of Labor is a model workplace, free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, which fosters a work environment that fully utilizes the capabilities of every employee,” said Secretary Solis. “It is my goal that we achieve and maintain a high-quality, diverse workforce at all organizational levels throughout the department.”

This is great news, especially for the transgender community and its supporters.But wouldn’t it be more awesome if the Department of Labor would guarantee equal pay? There will never be a “model workplace” when women are denied equal pay.

It’s truly disgusting that despite major advances for women in educational and social strata, we are still underpaid in virtually every employment sector compared to our male counterparts. It’s one of those things that my brain refuses to wrap around. How does having ovaries decrease one’s economic worth?

Categories: Money

Tags: Discrimination, Employment, Equal opportunity, Equal pay for equal work, Gender identity, Hilda Solis, Labor Department, Sexism, United States Department of Labor, United States Secretary of Labor, US Department of Labor