30 Days of Pride!

June 18: COL Diane Schroer, USA (RET.)

Colonel Diane Schroer has always been a fighter.  She spent twenty-five years in the Army, receiving numerous decorations and commendations for her service.  Following her retirement, she accepted an offer as a terrorism research analyst at the Library of Congress.  

When Schroer informed her new employers that she was in the process of gender transition, the Library of Congress rescinded the employment offer, giving the job to the next qualifying candidate.  Schroer, never one to back away from adversity and with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, challenged this blatant discrimination under Title VII and won.  Her historic court victory declared that discriminating against someone for a change in gender was sex discrimation and employers would be liable under federal law. Her determination and courage has helped to lay the groundwork for transgender equality before the law, including open transgender service in the military. For more on SLDN's work on this issue, click here.