Charlotte, NC sued by trans ex-worker

A transwoman has filed suit against the city of Charlotte, alleging she was fired from her job as a motor pool operations assistant because of her gender identity. Anne Marie Clukey, 60, said in court papers she had worked for the city for nearly two years and was dismissed because she did not conform to her boss's "gender stereotype." Clukey underwent gender reassignment in 2001. Before relocating to Charlotte, she had been an automotive shop manager in Portland, Maine. Her court filing said she has more than 40 years of experience in automotive maintenance. He problems began when her supervisor at the Charlotte city maintenance facility learned she was transgendered, her lawsuit alleges. According to court papers obtained by The Charlotte Observer, Clukey alleges that her supervisor, Karen King, became "hostile" and passed her over for a promotion despite her experience. When Clukey reported to management that King had overlooked her qualifications, the court papers allege that King retaliated and eventually fired her. City attorney Mac McCarley said that the city is preparing a legal response and will deny any liability. "Transgendered individuals do not have any rights under the federal employment discrimination laws," he told The Observer. The federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, also passed the House in 2007 but without protections for the transgendered. The legislation would have made it illegal for employers to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation in hiring, firing, promoting or paying an employee. It was not taken up by the Senate and the bill died when the last session of Congress ended. When ENDA returns it is likely to include gender identity protections. ENDA, originally introduced by Frank, included transpeople, but Frank removed those protections in committee saying it would be impossible to pass. More than a dozen LGBT groups immediately distanced themselves from the legislation. Frank later reversed himself and said he would fight to ensure an inclusive ENDA is passed.