Walmart recently approved a provision as part of its non-discrimination policy to protect its transgender employees. The provision, which went into effect a few weeks ago, according to Walmart spokesman Phillip Keene, prohibits harassment both on the basis of gender identity and gender expression.
Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign, stated, “What matters in the workplace is how you do your job, not your gender identity or sexual orientation. As the nation’s largest private employer, Wal-Mart shows that doing the right thing is also good for business. We urge them to continue to move forward by ensuring all of their LGBT employees receive equal benefits.”
Prior to the adoption of the new provision, the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York released a statement in January criticizing Walmart for homophobia: “Wal-Mart represents a culture of intolerance and insensitivity towards LGBT employees and issues that is unwelcome in New York. Just last year more than 100 Wal-Mart stores were found to be promoting a children’s book that suggested that gay people can overcome ‘sin’ and convert to heterosexuality with the help of counseling.”
Human Rights Campaign Statement 9/28/11; Huffington Post 9/28/11
