The following abstract is for an article from The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy by Kristen Schilt and Matthew Wiswall (2008) entitled “Before and After: Gender Transitions, Human Capital, and Workplace Experiences” which may be viewed without charge.

We use the workplace experiences of transgender people – individuals who change their gender typically with hormone therapy and surgery – to provide new insights into the long-standing question of what role gender plays in shaping workplace outcomes. Using an original survey of male-to-female and female-to-male transgender people, we document the earnings and employment experiences of transgender people before and after their gender transitions. We find that while transgender people have the same human capital after their transitions, their workplace experiences often change radically. We estimate that average earnings for female-to-male transgender workers increase slightly following their gender transitions, while average earnings for male-to-female transgender workers fall by nearly 1/3. This finding is consistent with qualitative evidence that for many male-to-female workers, becoming a woman often brings a loss of authority, harassment, and termination, but that for many female-to-male workers, becoming a man often brings an increase in respect and authority. These findings challenge the omitted variables explanations for the gender pay gap and illustrate the often hidden and subtle processes that produce gender inequality in workplace outcomes.

Schilt, Kristen and Wiswall, Matthew (2008) “Before and After: Gender Transitions, Human Capital, and Workplace Experiences,” The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy: Vol. 8 : Iss. 1 (Contributions), Article 39.
DOI: 10.2202/1935-1682.1862
Available at: http://www.bepress.com/bejeap/vol8/iss1/art39

Our weekly chat about current events and things that interest us.

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When asked what caused him to not stand up and recite the pledge, he answered

“Well, I looked at the end [of the Pledge of Allegiance] and it sayed ‘with liberty and justice for all’ and there’s really isn’t liberty and justice for all… Gay’s and lesbians can’t marry.  There’s still a lot of racism and sexiam in the world.”

When his teacher started giving him grief after 4 days for exercising his first amendment rights and not standing up he “eventually, very solemnly, with a little bit of malice in my voice, said ‘Ma’am, with all due respect, you can go jump off a bridge.’”

The Alliance for Living will be holding a candle light walk and vigil in New London on December 1st to mark World AIDS Day.  The walk will begin at the Soldiers and Sailors memorial in downtown New London at 5 pm and head up Broad Street to Williams Park and the Alliance for Living building.

Sunday November 15th from 5 to 7 pm there will be a fundraiser for PFLAG of Southeastern CT at Galaxy Roller Rink in Groton, CT.

$10 gets you in and gets you a pair of skates.  Inline skates are extra.

Any money raised after expenses will go to PFLAG-SECT

Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Southeastern CT

Galaxy Roller Rink

*Gay Skating Party*
*Sunday, November 15, 2009*
*5:00-7:00pm*
$10 includes skates (but roller blades are extra)
Galaxy Roller Rink
210 Bridge Street
Groton, CT  06340

People around the world have marked the tenth anniversary of the Celebrate Bisexuality Day,

Launched by American bisexual rights activists Wendy Curry, Michael Page and Gigi Raven Wilbour, the campaign sought to draw the community out alongside the rest of the LGBT concepts after fears of its greater marginalisation.

One of the original activists said: “Ever since the Stonewall rebellion, the gay and lesbian community has grown in strength and visibility. The bisexual community also has grown in strength but in many ways we are still invisible.

A powerful and well-produced commercial can make even hardwired Republicans more sympathetic to the cause of marriage equality, according to a new study.

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2009/09/22/GOPers_Can_Be_Swayed_on_Gay_Marriage/

Released by the group Truth and Hope, a liberal grassroots group, the study looked at the effects of targeted marriage equality advertisements on a group of voters.

While Democrats and independents described “happiness” and “inspiration” as the emotions they most experienced after seeing the ad, Republicans described “disturbed” and “happiness” as the two most prominent emotions they felt after seeing the ad. While Republicans are clearly not yet comfortable with same-sex marriage, emotions like “anger” and “embarrassment” ranked lower than positive feelings like “inspiration.”

Washington, DC, August 17, 2009-The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rolled out a new phase of their Secure Flight program over the weekend. Passengers will now be required to provide their birth date and gender when they book an airline ticket as part of a move to help distinguish passengers from those on the government’s “watch list” (often called the “no-fly” list).

The National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) has issued a new FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)about the Secure Flight program and its impact on transgender people. The resource includes information about how to navigate the new process, particularly if you have identification that does not match your gender presentation. NCTE firmly supports the right of transgender people to maintain our privacy and to travel freely.

NCTE has been engaged in ongoing work with TSA and administration officials about the Secure Flight program. There appears to be no chance of having the requirement of listing gender lifted; however, we will continue to work on how the policy is implemented in order to minimize the negative impacts. We are also monitoring the impact on transgender travelers.   If you encounter difficulties when you travel, please contact us as 202-903-0112 and let us know. We may be able to provide you with assistance and the information can also help us as we work with TSA to help prevent future problems.

You can read more information in the New York Times about the Secure Flight Program.