Luján Grisham Accused of Discrimination By Transgender Former Intern

A recent University of New Mexico graduate says that three years ago, she was fired from an internship in the office of Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Congresswoman Michelle Luján Grisham (D-NM) because she is transgender. Twenty-six-year-old Riley Del Rey says she is raising the allegations now because of a slew of stories in the news about sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. But missing in the nationwide debate, she says, are the views of transgender people. Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for the Congresswoman, replied, "Our office takes the rights of the [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] community very seriously, and we are dumbfounded by any suggestion that we would discriminate against anyone for any reason." Del Rey was hired by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. She alleges supervisors at CHCI discussed her physical appearance with her at least twice after she began working in DC, suggesting for example that her heels were too high or her hemline too short. She also believes staff in the Congresswoman’s office had just become aware that she was transgender. Del Ray says supervisors told her they had received information that caught them "off guard." The Institute terminated her that same day, she says. CHCI disputes Del Rey’s accusations. More here.