A job fair for trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming people from the region took place Sept. 10 focusing on employment at the Philadelphia International Airport, writes Laura Smythe for Philadelphia Gay News.

Hosted by TransWork, it was organized by the Independence Business Alliance and the Philadelphia’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the airport.

“A lot of folks are trans-identified or nonbinary and they have skills, they have work experience, they have degrees, but they’re just not getting employed because they’re trans,” said Marcus Iannozzi, a trans man and Transwork’s founder and co-chair.

Barriers are put up like documentation issues, criminal histories and “blatant discrimination.”

The airport offers civil service positions and employment at more than 100 private businesses, said Kathy Padilla, trans woman and deputy director of aviation for diversity and inclusion at Philadelphia International Airport.

The airport follows the City’s Fair Practices Ordinance, which provides nondiscrimination protections to gay and lesbian people, including gender identity and expression.

“We want to see [trans] people be able to use their talents, contribute and to also support their families, just like everyone else,” said Padilla, a trans advocate for more than 40 year.

Read more about the job fair here.

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