LOS ANGELES - The Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department (LA Civil Rights) and its Transgender Advisory Council hosted a virtual job fair for LA’s transgender and non-binary community today, connecting more than 60 attendees with 12 employers, including the FBI, Thomas Safran & Associates, and more.. The job fair, hosted on Transgender Day of Visibility, is one of many upward mobility and community empowerment events hosted by LA Civil Rights.
“We are thrilled at the overwhelming support for our first job fair, this tells us that this is a much needed service and we need to keep going!” said Transgender Advisory Council member Eden Anaï Luna, who is also the Program Manager at the LA LGBT Center’s Transgender Economic Empowerment Project (TEEP). “Employers today are now more aware of the severe socioeconomic disadvantages which trans and nonbinary people face every day—and the valuable contributions which we bring to the workforce.”
"I am incredibly honored to be part of this team and excited to see this job fair come into fruition for our TGI (Trans, Gender Non Conforming, Intersex) family. It's very important that our community has access to affirming employment and livable wages. Our TGI job seekers can go into this space confident that they are seen based on the skills they possess and nothing more. I'm so grateful we as the Trans Advisory Council are in a position to have this kind of positive impact on our community and their lives,” said Transgender Advisory Council member Luckie-Alexander Fuller.
Studies show that the trans and non-binary community face unemployment at twice the rate of the U.S. populaiton as a whole, and that trans workers are nearly four times more likely than the population as a whole to have a household income of under $10,000. Furthermore, many trans and non-binary workers report increased harrasment and discrimination in the workplace, making it more difficult to find safe & affirming employment. Anti-trans discrimination in employment was legal in the United States before being outlawed by the Supreme Court in June 2020.
“Even during a labor shortage, we know that qualified transgender and non-binary applicants are not getting hired or are being mistreated at work,” said Capri Maddox, Executive Director of the LA Civil Rights Department. “We hosted this job fair with our Transgender Advisory Council to get LA employers trained on creating inclusive workplaces and to expand upward mobility and gainful employment for our trans and non-binary community. We are so thankful to Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell for supporting this event and to all the employers who joined.”
The job fair featured LA-based employers from a range of industries, including hospitality, government, real estate and the nonprofit sector. Every employer involved in the fair received a live Gender & Sexual Diversity Training before participating, and job seekers were offered a free resume prep and interview skills training. Employers included Project Q; Project Angel Food; Beautycounter; Housing Rights Center; The FBI Los Angeles Bureau; Thomas Safran & Associates; Conrad Hotels; Empowering Families, Inc.; UCLA Center for LGBTQ Advocacy, Research, and Health; The AMAAD Institute; and Sender One Climbing.
“Showing up in the community is essential to combating the years of discrimination that has kept trans and nonbinary people out of work and housing,” said Elana Eden, Director of Media, Outreach & Education at Housing Rights Center. “We all benefit by creating safe, affirming workplaces where people of all identities have the same opportunity to share their talents.”
"The City is meeting the challenge of bringing resources to the transgender and non-binary communities, while also helping small businesses that have suffered during the pandemic," said Councilmember O'Farrell, one of only two out LGBTQ+ members of the City Council. "Bringing these communities together in such a thoughtful way is vital to ensuring there is visibility, equity, and economic opportunities for all. I want to thank LA Civil Rights and our fearless leaders at the Transgender Advisory Council for spearheading this ongoing effort and working to ensure that all Angelenos are welcomed, visible, and valued."
"One of my primary objectives as City Controller has been to ensure everyone has a seat at the table in our local government and beyond, and I have made it my responsibility and commitment to support all members of our community — especially our transgender and nonbinary family," said L.A. Controller Ron Galperin. "As an advocate for creating trans- and nonbinary-inclusive workplaces and fighting for full rights and equality for all, I am grateful to the L.A. Civil Rights Department and its Transgender Advisory Council for hosting this important job fair. This event sheds light on the need to create pathways to leadership and increase visibility for all LBGTQ+ people — especially transgender and nonbinary individuals — who tend to be the most vulnerable and marginalized within the marginalized."
