11 August, 2017
A transgender woman and her husband filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging that they both faced discrimination, physical threats, and harassment during their time at the retail giant's shipping facility in Hebron, Kentucky.
Their case is being handled by the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF). (AMZN) on behalf of Allegra Schawe-Lane and Dane Lane, a transgender woman and her partner, claiming co-workers harassed and attempted to humiliate the pair once Allegra revealed that she is a transgender woman.
The lawyer working with the couple also noted that the case was striking given Amazon's strong vocal support for gay and transgender rights.
The couple's complaint alleges that they were the targets of slurs and sexual harassment. According to the suit, the co-worker brought both of them pornography and sex toys and propositioned both of them for sex, licked his lips while looking at Allegra's groin, and "gyrated his crotch" on Dane's butt.
"They were driving home and said, 'The brakes aren't working so well.' They went to the mechanic and found that the brake line had intentionally been severed".
'All Americans deserve an equal chance to work hard and earn a living for themselves and their families, without fear of being targeted for being themselves, ' said Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund Executive Director, Jillian Weiss.
Amazon declined to respond to the allegations, saying in an email, 'We have a practice of not commenting on active litigation'.
"It was like a bad dream", Schawe-Lane said. "Every day, I'd wish it was "Candid Camera" and someone would pop out and say it was all a joke".
Several federal courts have ruled that discrimination on the basis of gender identity is a form of unlawful sex bias.
The lawsuit comes after Amazon, one of the United States' largest companies, was lauded by civil rights groups for their drama "Transparent", one of the first series to feature a transgender lead character.
The EEOC declared earlier this year that evidence substantiated some of the couple's allegations and said they had grounds for a lawsuit.
It also seeks a court order requiring Amazon to implement workplace programs that would ensure respectful treatment of transgender employees. The Freedom Award is for "extraordinary contributions to the advancement of transgender rights".
Aside from their experience at Amazon, the couple said they generally feel accepted in their community and have no desire to leave Kentucky.
The couple said they are in treatment for the distress they have endured, and are not ready to take new jobs, per their doctor's advice.
