Morgan BellProblems Transgendered Job-Seekers Face
January 13th 2009 14:16
Mike Sugarman on CBS-5 reports on a transgendered job fair in San Francisco.
Mike discusses with fellow reporter Dana King some of the barriers trans people can face when seeking employment, and interviews key people at the careers day.
The news segment entitled "Dressing For Sucess" features interviews with Clair Farley from the San Francisco LGBT Centre, Anthony Irving from PG&E, and Inspector Pam Hofsass from the San Francisco Police Department.
33 employers including PG&E, Charles Schwab, Levi, and the Police Department sent representatives to the fair to recruit and advise trans people.
In San Francisco the president of the San Francisco Police Commission is transwoman Theresa Sparks. As a man Sparks was an Engineer and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
Sparks began transitioning in 1997 and struggled to find a job in San Francisco as a woman. despite 20 years of experience in waste management and managing three environmental consulting companies as a man. Sparks applied unsuccessfully for more than 100 jobs and eventually picked up some sporadic work as a cab driver, bank teller, and census taker, narrowly avoiding becoming homeless.
Sparks underwent sex reassignment surgery in Thailand in 2000. Her civil rights activism led to her membership in a queer task force and police advisory roles with her eventual appointment to Commissioner.
Mike discusses with fellow reporter Dana King some of the barriers trans people can face when seeking employment, and interviews key people at the careers day.
The news segment entitled "Dressing For Sucess" features interviews with Clair Farley from the San Francisco LGBT Centre, Anthony Irving from PG&E, and Inspector Pam Hofsass from the San Francisco Police Department.
33 employers including PG&E, Charles Schwab, Levi, and the Police Department sent representatives to the fair to recruit and advise trans people.
In San Francisco the president of the San Francisco Police Commission is transwoman Theresa Sparks. As a man Sparks was an Engineer and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
Sparks began transitioning in 1997 and struggled to find a job in San Francisco as a woman. despite 20 years of experience in waste management and managing three environmental consulting companies as a man. Sparks applied unsuccessfully for more than 100 jobs and eventually picked up some sporadic work as a cab driver, bank teller, and census taker, narrowly avoiding becoming homeless.
Sparks underwent sex reassignment surgery in Thailand in 2000. Her civil rights activism led to her membership in a queer task force and police advisory roles with her eventual appointment to Commissioner.
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Comment by alt_ed
Alted Opinion
ArtCombat
The Inner Saintdom
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
lol she does kind of look like a slightly older version of me doesnt she . . . even the engineering background . . . maybe i should run for police commissioner?
Comment by Linh
Celluloid Fun
I've never met a transgender but I know a few gays and lesbians. They tend to work or volunteer in arts or media organisations, as it seems finding a job in the government, church or education sectors are most difficult for transgenders.
I'm heterosexual but find those of diverse sexuality much more interesting than my own.
Cheers!
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
its a sad reality that many trans people are forced into prostitution because they cannot find employment . . . its good to see an example of a transwoman in a high profile position, and im glad so many major companies would turn out to a job fair like the one in the video
thanks for the comments!
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
yeah we probably wont be hearing stories of trans triumph from any of the square states any time soon lol