PC HE/SHE

Clothes Encounters of the Absurd Kind

Yo Smith would be an expert on the men's and women's clothes at American Eagle (AE). As a cross-dresser, she's worn both! To some folks, that makes her the perfect AE salesperson. To the store managers, Yo's appearance is a side-show that drives away business. Unfortunately, the company's opinion no longer matters. According to New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the retailer will have to hire cross-dressers like Smith regardless of how uncomfortable it makes customers or employees. He cites the state's Human Rights Law, which grants special protections based upon gender identity. As a result, the 2,000-store chain has surrendered to state pressure and agreed to hire workers like Smith as part of a private settlement.

It started several months ago, when Yo took the store to court after it refused to offer her/him a job. "To avoid further expense and the distraction of a prolonged argument, [we have] agreed to a compromise settlement in this case, with the understanding that AE is not admitting to the findings," said an AE spokesman. "We wholeheartedly believe that transgender individuals should be treated equally." In the name of tolerance, American Eagle has been forced to take on a sales liability to satisfy the PC brigade. Shouldn't employers have the freedom to impose a dress code as they see fit?

But UPS will not Hire me with a beard !