Corporate America Shows Up For Transgender Job Fair
Mayor Declares Transgender Empowerment Week

Transgender people and their families face overwhelming discrimination in nearly every institution in California. "Good Jobs Now," a 2006 survey of transgender people living in San Francisco conducted by the Transgender Law Center (TLC), the San Francisco Bay Guardian, and The Women's Foundation, found that only 25% of the transgender people surveyed were employed full time and 35% were unemployed altogether. Only 4% make more than the estimated median income for SF.

In response, a unique collaborative of organizations have stepped up to help by providing comprehensive employment services to help transgender individuals in San Francisco find and retain stable jobs in safe workplaces. Formally launched in April, 2007, the Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative (TEEI) includes the San Francisco Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center (The Center), Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), San Francisco Transgender Empowerment Advocacy and Mentorship (SFTEAM), and TLC.

The TEEI collaborative seems to be working, not only for job seekers, but also for private sector employers who are showing up in greater numbers for the Transgender Job Fair.

Transgender Job Fair IV will feature 33 employers, including many Fortune 500 companies. The employers have been carefully selected to participate in the Transgender Job Fair this year; they have undergone Transgender 101 training provided by TLC. Employers are also eligible to receive free continuing technical assistance from TLC including reviewing workplace policies and employee handbooks; offering tips for respectful interactions with staff; and helping advocating for policy changes as needed.

"There has been an amazing shift in the Transgender Job Fair in terms of employers over the last 4 years." Said JoAnne Keatley, Co-Chair, SFTEAM. "It is clear that the employers coming this year have an interest in the inclusion of trans people as employees. They are coming about to realize the economic sense of hiring within the trans community and are also interested in contributing to the success of the TEEI program and it's efforts. Even the Fortune 500 companies are stepping up to address the need to hire and supply adequate benefits for transgender employees."

For more information about TEEI or The Center's 2008 job fair series, please contact David Bach, Workforce Development Specialist, at 415-865-5534 or davidb@sfcenter.org