Former officer alleges anti-trans discrimination at Arizona Department of Corrections

Kaden Vitellaro, a former correctional officer in Arizona, filed a federal complaint on July 10, alleging discrimination and unsafe working conditions due to his transgender identity. Vitellaro claims the Arizona Department of Corrections created a hostile work environment that ultimately forced him to resign in 2018. During his training, he faced misgendering and was barred from using men's restrooms, being required to use a private facility instead. After reporting his concerns, the department dismissed his complaint without action, prompting him to request a different assignment due to safety fears. Instead of a residential unit like his peers, he was placed in an administrative role but still subjected to policies for female officers, including announcing himself as female in male units.

Vitellaro's lawsuit challenges the department's gender classification policy, which bases an officer's sex on anatomy, contrary to federal guidance that supports classification based on gender identity. The U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigated his claims for five years and found reasonable cause to believe the Department of Corrections had engaged in discriminatory practices. This case highlights ongoing issues of discrimination against transgender individuals in the workplace.