Transgender Volunteer Sues Howard County Md. for Discrimination

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Transgender Volunteer Sues Howard County Md. for Discrimination

http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/gay-in-maryland/bs-md-ho-transgender-lawsuit-20140218,0,6682372.story

Hugs,

Carla

[Carolyn Marie]

I doubt she will be allowed to argue the case on the merits, because she doesn't have standing as a volunteer or potential volunteer. If courts ruled that volunteers had property rights to their positions, it would likely mean the end to most volunteer work. It sounds like she would have a good case, otherwise. I worry about that sort of thing where I volunteer. Although I think its unlikely, its possible, and I wouldn't have much recourse, either. Thanks for posting the article, Carla.

Carolyn Marie

[Ravin]

Employment discrimination law is not property law.

The problem is, she has no basis for the reason she was turned down. It's hard to build a case on what she has.Maybe not impossible, though, depending on what they can get out of people in depositions.

[Drea]

It is a great way to create acceptance. So what if there isn't an employment or financial loss issue here. It may be an unpaid position but functionally it is no different than what most are encouraged to file lawsuits over. Just because there is no money involved doesn't mean that she can't win the right to volunteer.

[Ravin]

There are benefits which could be defined, such as satisfaction, a sense of fulfillment from service, the social benefits of maintaining connections through volunteer work, etc. The law often recognizes less tangible benefits than money.