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May 16, 2007

 

Dr. Julie Nemecek and Spouse Honored at D.C. Reception

Washington, D.C. – At a sold-out Monday evening reception Dr. Julie Nemecek, her spouse Joanne Nemecek and Susan Stanton were recognized for their courage in publicly telling their stories about being discriminated against for being transgender. This was Susan Stanton’s (formerly Largo City Manager Steve Stanton) first pubic appearance. The reception, organized by the National Center for Transgender Equality, was held in the 13th floor First Amendment room of the National Press Building in Washington, D.C. Attendees included transgender rights activists from around the country and members of the media.

 

On Tuesday, May 15th, Joanne and Julie Nemecek met with members of Congress to seek support for the passage of ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act) in both houses and hate crimes legislation in the Senate. Hate crimes legislation (H.R. 1592) passed the House earlier this year. They met with Senator Stabenow and a senior advisor to Senator Levin as well as staff from four Michigan members of the House including a senior staff member for their own representative, Tim Walberg (R – 7th district). Most of the offices had the current issue of Newsweek on display. This issue includes an interview with Dr. Nemecek in its cover story on transgender people and issues in America.

 

Rev. Nemecek was included in the Newsweek story to counter some of the baseless claims of the religious right that transgender is a “sinful perversion” and not the medical anomaly that science has shown it to be. Julie stressed how living with authenticity in being who she is has deepened her Christian faith and helped her celebrate the richness of God’s creative diversity in humankind. She and Joanne prayerfully sought God’s leading in their coming out and subsequent discrimination complaint. In their meetings with students at colleges and universities (as well as high schools) Joanne and Julie often say,   “We have seen God go before us and walk with us all along the way.”

 

Julie and Joanne will be married 35 years this June. They have three sons – all married – and one grandson with one more on the way. They are active members of a Presbyterian church near them and give of their time to St. Luke’s Clinic and various civil rights organizations. Julie is on the board of Michigan Equality.

 

Julie Nemecek was formerly employed by Spring Arbor University. She was dismissed after filing a much-publicized discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her story was covered nationally by the New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, Fox News, Associated Press, and a major story in the Wall Street Journal. The story was also featured in newspapers and blogs around the United States as well as in media in at least six foreign countries. She is now the president of Julie Nemecek Consulting, a firm specializing in diversity consulting, training, and advocacy.

 

 

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For additional information visit the Julie Nemecek Consulting web site at http://julienemecek.com , call 517-416-4608, or contact Julie Nemecek via email at julie.nemecek@comcast.net .

Julie Nemecek Consulting is a full-service consulting company founded by Dr. Julie Nemecek as a resource for helping organizations and individuals grow in understanding, appreciating, and committing to issues of diversity. Consulting, training, and advocacy for GLBT issues in the workplace are a major part of the company’s commitment and work. The company provides customized services to meet the culture and needs of both for-profit and non-profit organizations.

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