FedEx has agreed to extend employment protections to its transgendered employees, a change in policy that comes at the request of Northstar Asset Management, Inc., which filed a resolution seeking protection against any form of job discrimination based on gender identity. Julie Goodridge, CEO of NorthStar Asset Management, Inc. said that “FedEx responded with a desire to understand and incorporate such a policy.”

“Transgender people suffer the greatest amount of discrimination in the workforce and have little recourse due to the lack of protection under state and federal law,” Goodridge noted. “While it is unfortunate that the Federal government has yet to pass an inclusive Non-Discrimination Act that includes all people, thankfully there are U.S. corporations like FedEx who are determined to protect and value all of their workers…they are leading the way potentially years ahead of Capitol Hill.”

While it is a step forward for the company, earlier this year FedEx refused to extend domestic partner benefits to its employees citing the Defense of Marriage Act.

Featuring images by photographer Jo Ann Santangelo, gay and lesbian veterans discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell share their stories in “I am an American Soldier.” Watch:

Yes. You read it right. Dr. Thio Li-ann, a law professor from the National University of Singapore, who has been invited to teach a “Human Rights in Asia” course at New York University in the fall, doesn’t believe human rights extend to gays and lesbians. While serving in Parliament in 2007, Dr. Li-ann gave an empassioned speech advocating for the continued criminalization of homosexuality, which she called “a gross indecency.” She went on to say “You cannot make a human wrong a human right,” “Diversity is not a license for perversity,” and compared in intimate act between men to “shoving a straw up your nose to drink.” Watch the speech below:

Since NYU extended Dr. Li-ann the invitation, many students and faculty members have expressed outrage that she will be on campus teaching in the fall. In a comprehensive 18 point diatribe Dr. Li-ann responded to her critics, complaining of the abuse she has received since accepting the invitation. In the lengthy letter, Dr. Li-ann objects that her moral opposition to homosexuality has been characterized as “bigoted, ignorance or hatred,” and finds it “ironical” that those who claim to be oppressed are in fact the oppressors. Li-ann also said that most homosexuals in Singapore “lead quiet lives which is what most of us want.”

Let’s hope that when Dr. Li-ann arrives in New York, she gets the “proper” welcome she deserves. And no, I’m not being ironical.

In an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, President Obama indicated he wanted DADT changed “so that it works well for our military, and for the outstanding gay and lesbian soldiers that are both currently enlisted and would like to enlist.” He’d also preferred that the policy was “changed” sooner than later. Watch.

Change unfortunately is word I am beginning to dislike. Nothing is acceptable short of full repeal of the ban.