Panel Hears Job Complaint of Transgender Phila. Lifeguard
A second day of testimony is expected in the near future in the case of a transgendered city lifeguard who filed a complaint with the Philadelphia Human Relations Commission after being fired from her Recreation Department job.
KYW's Kim Glovas reports that Dawn Dalpe testified today that she was harassed, verbally and physically, almost daily while working as a lifeguard at two city pools.
She also charges that she was working in a hostile environment where she had no one to turn to for help.
Dawn is now a woman but says she was referred to as a man by some coworkers and patrons at the pools. Her attorney is Amara Chaudhry:
"Even questioning someone as to their gender, or certainly genitalia, or even incorrect usage of pronouns which is purposeful, amounts as harassment discrimination under the law. It's point-blank in Philadelphia. No one was supervised or disciplined, and they escalated to the point that Miss Dalpe was attacked for no other reason than for being who she is."
Chaudhry says the city code is much stronger than the state or federal laws regarding transgender discrimination.
City solicitor Nicole Morris would not comment on the case.
The harassment began in the summer of 2005, Dalpe charges, when she worked at one city pool and was then transferred to another. That's where she began receiving death threats, she says.
In August 2005, Dalpe was assaulted at the pool by a male co-worker, and was ultimately dismissed.
If the commission sides with Dalpe, the Recreation Department would be charged with discrimination.
