Connecticut Prohibits Gender Identity Discrimination

Connecticut has passed a law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of “gender identity or expression”. The new law amends the protections of the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on an individual’s race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, mental retardation, and disability. The law defines “gender identity or expression” as “gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth.” The law becomes effective Oct. 1, 2011, and applies to any public or private employer with at least three employees.

Nevada recently passed a similar law that also takes effect on Oct. 1, 2011. Employers in both Connecticut and Nevada should revise their policies to add gender identity as a protected class.