Working in America

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I'm planning on spending next summer working at a summer camp in America. I'm keen to push my boundaries despite the thought terrifying me. I'm well versed in UK equality law, but have no idea about America. The country's got a bit of a reputation of being backwards in regards to equality and I'm a bit nervous. I'm transgender and will hopefully have my diagnosis of ASD by the time I travel next summer - can anyone advise me on places it's safer for me to go?

I'm particularly worried about it being legal to sack me upon finding out I'm trans/have ASD. I've heard it is in some states?

I've just this minute found out that the agency I was going to go with are no longer running the scheme (trying to pretend it doesn't matter and I'll find somewhere else and trying to avoid freaking the hell out because all my planning's been based around going with this one agency) so I don't know where I'll be. I had been planning to be in the North East (Maine, New Jersey etc. I specified NOT bible belt)

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/disability/hiring.htm

Should help, but in practice, Aspergers and transgendered would be hard to be hired about anywhere.

It's legal to fire someone for being Trans* in about 30 states. My suggestion would be to try to come to a larger city and try to find work in the LGBT community. I live in Philadelphia, and there's a great community here (I'm Queer and gender non-conforming, myself). Other places on the East Coast with vibrant LGBT communities include Massachusetts (especially Boston, Western Mass, Provincetown), NYC, Baltimore, and DC. I hope this helps!

Wow, I hadn't realised it was so bad over there.

I'm not planning on being out about any of this whilst applying, particularly if I haven't got my diagnosis by the time I go. What about Washington (state)?

Washington (especially Seattle) should be fine. We have laws against discrimination, but that doesn't stop someone from putting you in a position to fail, and then firing you for that. So really, you're looking for a place/people that are accepting.

There's a possibility I'll be in Seattle now so that's reassuring to hear, thanks.

The west coast of America is fairly liberal, especially in the major cities. Go out in the boondocks and it's so so.

Have you ever done a camp thing like this before?

Not the whole American style thing. I work on similar schemes, but there's nothing like that in England.

Be expected to work long and hard to reap the benefits. It's not like in Europe where you can get by working 20 hours per week and have full benefits.

I'm sorry but this post doesn't exactly win the 'not prejudiced' prize either, does it?

Mine? I just want to check out the laws in a country I'm going to where I've heard it's perfectly legal to sack someone like me. I'm not going over there assuming every American is a bigot, but laws and general attitudes wise, I'd like to know what I can protect myself with if the worst happens.




Yes, that's exactly how everyone in "Europe" is.... /sarcasm.