FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2018

Contact: Chelsea Connor | cconnor@rwdsu.org | 347-866-6259

STATEMENT FROM RWDSU PRESIDENT STUART APPELBAUM ON THE PROPOSED FEDERAL ANTI-TRANSGENDER POLICY

Today, President Stuart Appelbaum of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) denounced a proposed federal policy, first reported by the New York Times, to redefine gender under Title IX in a way that will cause tremendous harm to the transgender and gender non-conforming community. 

“The members of the RWDSU come from all walks of life—from every race and ethnicity, young and old, gay and straight, immigrant and native born. We are proud to represent all of them, and to stand with them when they are targeted and scapegoated," said Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).

"We are also proud to count amongst our membership those in the transgender and gender non-conforming community. We read with alarm recent reports that the Trump administration is considering a change to the definition of the protections under Title IX that would essentially take basic human rights away from transgender people. We strongly reject this cruel and unnecessary proposal. Trans and gender non conforming people have the right to live free from discrimination.

We have always said that trans rights are workers’ rights and we will continue to stand with the transgender community. And a message to our members who are trans: the RWDSU will continue to fight alongside you. You will not be erased.”