Nevada Republican governor signs transgender job discrimination bill

Despite opposition from within his own party, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval (R) signed a bill prohibiting job discrimination against transgender people into law on Tuesday.

The law makes Nevada the 14th state to prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression in the workplace. Hawaii became the 13th state to ban transgender employment discrimination in early May.

California, Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Vermont, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia also have similar laws. Currently, there is no federal law banning employment discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

The Associated Press reported that two more bills that would protect transgender people from discrimination in housing transactions and in public places will also head to Sandoval's desk.