Transgendered ex-lifeguard testifies in her bias case

A transgendered former lifeguard, who alleges she was unfairly fired by the city, appeared today before the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.

Dawn Delpe, 42, of South Philadelphia, filed a complaint in 2005 claiming the City Department of Recreation discriminated against her because she was perceived to be a homosexual male.

Delpe, who also describes herself as white and disabled, worked as a part-time lifeguard at a city pool. She said the rec department allowed coworkers and pool patrons to physically and verbally harrass her. She also said the department denied her request to be transferred to a "safer worksite," according to the complaint.

Delpe has filed discrimination complaints against several other agencies.

In 2006, after she was terminated by the city, she told the Philadelphia Gay News that she joined the Christian Street YMCA. Delpe said she was banned from the pool after three visits when she refused to provide "proof of gender." Delpe said she later received a letter barring her from all 10 of the Y's Philadelphia-area branches.

She has also filed complaints against the city police department and Community College of Philadelphia, according to records filed with the Commission on Human Relations.