A transgender group has scored a major victory in a discrimination complaint against American Eagle Outfitters, the NY Daily News reports.
After community rights group Make the Road New York complained to New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office about alleged job discrimination against transsexuals at the major retailer, Cuomo has demanded that the mall favorite adjust "personal appearance" policies that ban male employees from wearing women’s clothing and vice versa, according to the paper.
American Eagle also reportedly agreed to a settlement deal that will require changes to its employee handbook and store policies.
"To avoid further expense and the distraction of a prolonged argument, [we have] agreed to a compromise settlement in this case, with the understanding that AEO is not admitting to the findings," a company spokesperson told the paper.
"We wholeheartedly believe that transgender individuals should be treated equally."
Heck, yeah!
Meanwhile, the transgender community is celebrating the victory (reportedly the first of its kind against a retailer under New York’s Human Rights Law)… and, perhaps, eyeing a career in folding plaid button-downs?
"This shows me that there’s faith and hope," Make the Road New York member Joi-elle White, who is transgendered, told the Daily News.
"There might be a domino effect, that’s what I’m hoping for.
"If more places would follow behind American Eagle’s experience, a lot of us would be able to work more. And there would be less of us on the street or on the Internet risking our life just to survive."
In March, the group protested against J.Crew over claims that the company discriminated against transgender job applicants, the Daily News reported.
What a drag!