Oakland Park - The city is one step closer to protecting the rights of its transgender employees.

Commissioners agreed unanimously Wednesday night to proceed with adding gender identity and gender expression to the city's anti-discrimination policy.

Commissioner Suzanne Boisvenue proposed adding the two categories to the city's policy, which already protects municipal employees based on race, religion, sex, national origin, age and/or disability. The city passed its current anti-discrimination policy in July 2002. It is unclear how many, if any, transgender people work for the city.

"Discrimination, should not be tolerated, any place, any time," Boisvenue said. "Oakland Park is known, rightfully so, for fair and equal treatment of people."

Others on the dais echoed the remarks.

"We've proven, over and over again, that we don't tolerate discrimination here," Commissioner Layne Walls said.

About 20 gay, lesbian and transgender activists spoke at the meeting in support of the proposal, including four transgender women. No one spoke against it.

"My knowledge base did not change just because I put on a skirt," said Jacqui Charvet, a North Lauderdale resident who told commissioners she lost her job five years ago when she came out to her employer as a transgender woman.

"I have been denied access to restrooms and fitting rooms," Charvet said. "Even though I feel I am successful, I am still attacked for my gender expression."

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation defines transgender people as those who feel an innate sense of gender other than their birth sex. This includes transsexuals, cross-dressers and people who simply feel like their biological sex fails to reflect their true gender.

Commissioners asked City Attorney D.J. Doody to prepare an ordinance to change the anti-discrimination policy. They will vote on the changes in the next few weeks.

If approved, Oakland Park would join more than 100 governments nationwide that offer some form of protection to transgender people. Among them are Lake Worth, West Palm Beach and Miami Beach.

Anthony Niedwiecki, an Oakland Park resident and gay community activist, also expressed his support for the proposal. Extending anti-discrimination protection to transgender people "will allow us to judge each person on his or her ability to do the job and nothing else," he said.

Oakland Park's decision to vote on protecting the rights of transgender employees comes as Broward County commissioners discuss providing protection in housing and employment to transgender people, including those in the private sector.

A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Friday to discuss transgender issues in South Florida. Susan Stanton, the former city manager of Largo who lost her job after changing gender, will be the guest speaker. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of South Florida, 1717 N. Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale.

Elizabeth Baier can be reached at ebaier@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4637.