Would you hire a transgender if you were the boss of a store?

[binary solo]

nanarchy said:

binary solo said:

So gender discrimination is good with you when a person's gender has no direct relevance to the job? Refusing to hire a transgender person BECAUSE they are transgender is no different to refusing to hire a woman or a man because they are a woman or a man. If having boobs, a vagina or a penis is not inherently necessary as part of the job then gender discrimination is immoral and wrong, and people should not submit to it just because some bigots in the community would say boo. Some things are more imporant than profits, and that's why we have laws to regulate employment practices.

Fortunately anti-discrimination laws in civilised countries are not contingent on the acceptance of a particularly intolerant demographic who may happen to be concentrated in a particular town or locality. 

While I agree with you, the reality of the world is that many small businesses are dependent for there very survival on the good will of the bigots and rednecks. taking a stance against discrimination is great, sacrifising your business, your family and potentially your own well being is another thing entirely. Truth is there are some roles that require discrimination to be successful. that may require a woman for the comfort of women shoppers, a man for the comfort of stuck up men if that is your audience or whatever. In the end the customer is always right no matter how bigoted they are as it is their money you are trying to get, taking a moral stand and going bankrupt doesn't serve you or them any good. The bigger stores though I can't see any justification for a manager ever refusing based on gender (trans or otherwise).

I'm not sure I entirely agree, but I do accept that sacrificing livelihod for principles (especially when family and children are involved) is a big decision and not everyone has the mental and emotional fortitude to do it. But civilisation has only made genuine progress when that's what people have done. Whether it's hiring a discriminated minority, or serving them, or openly supporting them in a meaningful way. These people become heroes in the history books, even though their lives were made hard. One can't legislate heroism into people, but one can at least try to call people to a higher purpose and ask that they at least consider being a bit heroic in their lives. 

If I don't take a stand against bigotry and hatred of people who are different then I'm part of the problem even if my personal attitude is enlightened.