PinkNews.co.uk – PinkNews.co.uk writer
Two US states have made historic strides in protecting the rights of transgender and gender nonconforming people.
Hawaii and Vermont, have in the past week introduced laws to include, protect and support transgender people.
Hawaii?s second transgender-inclusive bill passed into law, followed by an expansive non-discrimination bill in Vermont clearing the Legislature, positioning Vermont to become the ninth state in America to make discriminatory practices based on gender identity or expression illegal.
The District of Columbia also amended its anti-discrimination law in March to include gender identity or expression.
?The legislation in Hawaii and Vermont represent huge civil rights victory for the transgender community,? said Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Centre for Transgender Equality (NCTE).