Pride: Meet Tamara Lusardi
June 24, 2015
Categories:
Workers' Rights, Member Profile
Since she was very young, Tamara Lusardi has been familiar with a life of service. She is a self-described “Air Force brat” who grew up to serve in the Armed Forces, and later, as a public servant. She’s a member of American Federation of Government Employees Local 1858 in Alabama and works as a civilian employee with the Department of Defense. She is also transgender.
Despite her disabled veteran status and career of public service, Lusardi was met with discrimination at the worksite. Her supervisor often refused to acknowledge her as she wished and she met resistance when trying to go about her day like any other employee.
But Lusardi didn’t back down or let others continue to tread on her dignity. In 2014, with the help of AFGE and the Transgender Law Center, she fought back against the workplace discrimination and won.
Her case set an important precedent in the federal government for other transgender employees. Learn more about AFGE's advocacy for LGBT issues at the AFGE Pride 2015 page and read AFGE’s Women’s and Fair Practices Departments Federal Employees Transgender Model Policy.
Read other stories of AFGE Pride.
Top News
- With Proven Track Records for Strengthening Working Families, Harris and Walz are AFGE’s Choice
- New Surveys Show VA Hospitals Outperform Non-VA Facilities, Again
- Angela Digeronimo: Why Is This Election Important to Me?
- Hi! Agnes Would Like to Talk to You about Member Benefits.
- Is Your Personal Information Up to Date?
