> ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Equality Florida" <Eqfl at eqfl.org>
> > Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 4:42 PM
> > Subject: [EqualityFL] Action Alert: 1/2/01
> >
> > > Equality Florida - http://www.eqfl.org
> > >
> > > NATIONWIDE PROTEST AGAINST WINN DIXIE'S FIRING OF A TRANSGENDER
> > > EMPLOYEE
> > >
> > > ********************************************************************
> > > The following ACTION ALERT is a forwarded message from FORGE, the
> > > Florida Organization for Gender Equality.
> > >
> > > Equality Florida joins FORGE and the ACLU in opposing the firing of a
> > > Louisiana based, Winn Dixie employee for cross dressing while off
> > > duty.
> > >
> > > FORGE encourages those interested in supporting the protest to:
> > >
> > > 1 - CALL OR EMAIL Winn Dixie (contact information and sample talking
> > > points below)
> > > 2 - PROTEST RALLY - Join FORGE, the ACLU, and other social justice
> > > groups at Winn Dixie's national headquarters in Jacksonville this
> > > Friday, January 5, at 11:00 am
> > >
> > > For additional information contact FORGE at FORGE2000 at usa.net or at
> > > 727-328-0889.
> > >
> > > ********************************************************************
> > >
> > > -------------FORWARDED MESSAGE--------------
> > > From: FORGE (Florida) <forge2000 at usa.net>
> > > The Florida Organization For Gender Equality
> > >
> > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > Florida Mobilization Against Winn Dixie
> > > for Gender Stereotyping and Transgender Bias
> > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > >
> > > "I was fired from one of America's largest grocery store chains
> > > because I am transgendered -- they said my behavior was harmful to the
> > > company's image.
> > >
> > > To be told that after 21 years with the company felt like a knife in
> > > my chest. I showed up for work on time, did a good job and followed
> > > all the rules, but on January 5, 2000, I was fired because I
> > > cross-dress off-duty.
> > >
> > > We lost our health insurance, and nearly had our home foreclosed. The
> > > unbearable stress took, and still takes, a toll on our health and
> > > continues to affect our 24-year marriage."
> > >
> > > Peter Oiler - Former Winn Dixie Employee
> > >
> > >
> > > The Florida Organization for Gender Equality (FORGE), in conjunction
> > > with the ACLU, Trans=Action and others, urges all Floridians to join
> > > the National Mobilization Against Winn Dixie for their deplorable
> > > firing of transgender employee, Peter Oiler.
> > >
> > > Not only has Winn Dixie dismissed Oiler based on inaccurate and
> > > harmful gender stereotypes, but the corporation has sent a powerful
> > > message that anyone, even when away from their place of employment and
> > > in the privacy of their home, is open to bias and judgement. We
> > > condemn this infringement on personal privacy and liberty and will not
> > > stand for this unjust employment action.
> > >
> > > FORGE encourages all Floridians who stand against discrimination to
> > > take the actions outlined in the alert below. In addition, FORGE is
> > > coordinating the protest action to be held from 11:00am - 3:00pm on
> > > January 5th, at the Winn Dixie Corporate Headquarters in Jacksonville,
> > > Florida.
> > >
> > > Come to Jacksonville to make your presence felt and your voice heard!
> > > For further details on this protest action, please contact:
> > > FORGE at FORGE2000 at usa.net or at 727-328-0889.
> > >
> > > Take Action! Get Involved! Make a Difference Today! Forward this
> > > Message!
> > >
> > > ========================================================
> > > Mobilization: Fight Gender Stereotyping in the Workplace
> > > Action Against Winn-Dixie Stores for Transgender Bias (12/18-1/5)
> > > ========================================================
> > >
> > >
> > > Help tell Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (one of the largest Fortune 500
> > > companies in the U.S.) that its corporate image has,
> > > indeed, been harmed -- by its own unconscionable discriminatory
> > > practicesr.
> > >
> > >
> > > During this National Mobilization Against Winn Dixie, every single one
> > > of us -- in all 50 states and from all walks of life -- can take
> > > simple, specific and critical actions to send a message to Winn-Dixie
> > > and to the country:
> > >
> > > -- 1. Join us for a protest Rally at Winn-Dixie National headquarters
> > > this Friday, Jan. 5, at 11 a.m.
> > >
> > >
> > > -- 2. Wherever you live, contact Winn-Dixie directly to share your
> > > views about discrimination based on gender stereotyping (contact
> > > information and sample messages are at the bottom of this e-mail);
> > >
> > > -- 3. Forward this e-mail, especially to people who live in the
> > > Southeast or may be visiting during the holidays. This is not spam
> > > e-mail; it is an opportunity for all of us to put into action our
> > > belief that workplaces must be free of gender stereotyping;
> > >
> > > -- 4. Starting Dec. 18, check the Mobilization's web site --
> > > http://www.ShameOnWinnDixie.com -- for updates on local protests and
> > > additional action.
> > >
> > > You or your friends and family could be the next to experience
> > > discrimination in the workplace. It needs to stop. Make a decision
> > > that this time, you're going to do something. Take a stand. Make a
> > > difference.
> > >
> > > Call, e-mail or fax Winn-Dixie. Find a different grocery store, even
> > > if it's further away. Forward this message to your friends and family.
> > >
> > > ========================================================
> > >
> > > --The ACLU Lesbian and Gay Rights Project's Eric Ferrero, at
> > > EFerrero at aclu.org
> > >
> > > --Louisiana transgender activist Courtney Sharp at
> > > StressGone at aol.com.z
> > >
> > > ========================================================
> > > Contact Information: Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.:
> > > ========================================================
> > >
> > > National Headquarters (Jacksonville, FL)
> > > Al Rowland, President & CEO
> > > E-Mail: AlRowland at winn-dixie.com
> > > P: 904-783-5000
> > > F: 904-783-5235
> > >
> > > New Orleans Division (where Peter Oiler worked)
> > > Michael Istre, Division President
> > > E-Mail: MichaelIstre at winn-dixie.com
> > > P: 504-731-2200
> > > F: 504-731-2379
> > >
> > > (For other Regional Division contacts, go to
> > > http://ShameOnWinnDixie.com.
> > > Winn-Dixie has a helpful directory of all its 1,200 stores (in AL, FL,
> > > GA,IN, KY, LA, MS, OH, OK, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA), with manager names and
> > > phone numbers. Visit the database (searchable by zip code) at
> > > http://www.winndixie.com
> > >
> > > =====================================
> > > Wherever You Live, Contact Winn-Dixie
> > > Sample Phone and E-Mail Messages
> > > =====================================
> > >
> > > ---- Points to emphasize over the phone ----
> > >
> > > -- Tell them you will not be shopping at Winn-Dixie.
> > >
> > > -- Explain that you're concerned because Winn-Dixie is judging its
> > > employees not based on how they do their jobs, but on who they are.
> > > Stereotypes of any kind do not belong in the workplace.
> > >
> > > -- Mention Peter Oiler, who was fired because of gender stereotyping
> > > because he did not act or look the way Winn-Dixie thought a man
> > > should. This discrimination is unconscionable and affects a wide
> > > cross-section of people.
> > >
> > > -- Tell them you're asking all of your friends and family in the
> > > Southeast not to shop at Winn Dixie.
> > >
> > >
> > > ---- Sample e-mail message ----
> > >
> > > [You can send directly to e-mail addresses above, or use
> > > Winn-Dixie's own customer feedback form, at:
> > > http://www.winndixie.com/comments/main.asp. If you
> > > send your own e-mail, use "Customer Feedback" or something similar in
> > > the subject line.]
> > >
> > > I am writing to express my shock, disappointment and anger that
> > > Winn-Dixie fired an employee of more than 20 years because he
> > > cross-dresses off-duty.
> > >
> > > Peter Oiler was told that his behavior harmed Winn-Dixie's corporate
> > > image. Indeed, your company's image has been badly tarnished -- not by
> > > the actions of a loyal employee, but by Winn-Dixie's unconscionable
> > > discriminatory practices.
> > >
> > > Discrimination based on gender stereotyping is wrong -- plain and
> > > simple. Discrimination based upon gender stereotypes affects many
> > > Americans, and many Winn-Dixie shoppers. I will not be shopping at
> > > Winn-Dixie this holiday season, and I've asked my friends, family and
> > > colleagues to shop elsewhere as well.
> > >
> > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > News Release
> > >
> > > December 15, 2000
> > >
> > > FORGE AND TRANS-ACTION JOIN FORCES AGAINST WINN DIXIE
> > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > >
> > > In a powerful statement of unity, the Florida Organization for Gender
> > > Equality (FORGE) and Georgia's Trans=Action have joined forces for the
> > > first time to demonstrate the power of transgender coalition building
> > > within the South.
> > >
> > > Together, these groups are organizing a protest of Winn-Dixie, Inc. at
> > > their corporate headquarters in Jacksonville, FL, January 5, 2001.
> > > Earlier this year, a New Orleans unit of the popular supermarket chain
> > > fired truck driver Peter Oiler simply because he crossdressed during
> > > his private time off from work, even though Mr. Oiler had over 20
> > > years with the company. The FORGE/Trans=Action protest is in
> > > conjunction with an American Civil Liberties Union(ACLU) nationwide
> > > mobilization against Winn-Dixie that started on December 18th.
> > >
> > > "Trans=Action is proud to work beside FORGE on this issue," said
> > > Monica Helms. "This incident took place in the South and Winn-Dixie
> > > headquarters is located in Florida. We want to send a clear message
> > > that the Transgender community in the Southeast Region is united and
> > > will not stand to see any one in our community treated in this fashion
> > > by any size business, no matter what state they are in."
> > >
> > > "This form of discrimination isn't new, it has gone on for years,
> > > especially in the South," remarked Jessica Archer, Director of FORGE.
> > > "There has always been some group who is deemed to be 'inappropriate'
> > > or not worthy of human dignity, and while the name of that group may
> > > change, the expression of that discrimination and intolerance sadly
> > > remain the same.
> > >
> > > It is unfortunate that such a community partner like Winn Dixie is
> > > involved in this situation, but occasionally even our best community
> > > citizens can make mistakes. We hope Winn Dixie realizes the error of
> > > firing Peter Oiler and becomes a community member that all people can
> > > support again by ensuring this form of discrimination does not happen
> > > again.
> > >
> > > That is why it's important for all people who stand against
> > > discrimination to make their voices heard in Jacksonville on January
> > > 5th. FORGE is proud to work beside Trans=3DAction to raise these
> > > voices and help Winn Dixie understand the affect of this termination."
> > >
> > > Organize! Participate! Make your voice heard!
> > >
> > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > Today You Can:
> > >
> > > > Decide to make a difference!
> > >
> > > > Make a stand against bigotry and intolerance!
> > >
> > > > Tell Winn Dixie that discrimination is wrong and will not be
> > > condoned!
> > >
> > > > Take action and stop shopping at Winn Dixie from now until January
> > > 5th.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > FORGE
> > > 2302 Beach Blvd.
> > > Gulfport, FL 33707
> > > (727) 328-0889
> > > E-mail: FORGE2000 at usa.net <MAILTO:Forge2000 at usa.net>
> > >
> > > Dedicated to building a safe and productive environment for people of
> > > all genders in the state of Florida.
> > >
> > > News List: FORGEnews <http://www.onelist.com/group/FORGEnews> or
> > > Discussion List: FORGEtalk <http://www.onelist.com/group/FORGEtalk>
> > > Online Resource Center under construction at: http://www.forge.8m.com
> > >
> > >
> > > ********************************************************************
> > > BECOME A VOICE FOR EQUALITY! JOIN EQUALITY FLORIDA TODAY!
> > > Call 813-253-5962 or email your contact information to eqfl at eqfl.org
> > > and we will send you membership information.