A new social media campaign is urging employers to #HireTrans: encouraging them to recruit and support transgender staff.

The campaign has been launched by the Trans Employment Program at the SF LGBT Center in California – which is highlighting the experiences that trans, non-binary and queer communities have in the workplace and promoting the #HireTrans and #TransAtWork hashtags.

As part of the Trans at Work Visibility campaign, a film has produced in which trans people reveal their occupations. It also highlights some of the excuses employers give for not hiring trans workers.

As well as the film, the campaign has produced portraits of trans people for sharing on social media, alongside their personal stories. See some of the images below.

Clair Farley, the SF LGBT Center’s director of economic development, said in a statement to Buzzfeed, ‘We hope people can start talking more about the economic impact of discrimination on the transgender community.

‘It’s my dream to have the images on billboards and buses, and I want to make sure that no trans person ever feels alone or not able to chase their career goals.’

One of those to be involved in the campaign is Alic, a 35-year-old pediatric oncology nurse (pictured top): ‘I want people to know that trans individuals are and can be providers of care. Too often we are seen as having little or no agency within the health care system.’

Another, lawyer Caleb, says, ‘Trans people bring a unique perspective to every situation in life, and that is an invaluable characteristic to an employer. I think that employers who won’t hire trans [people] are forgoing an incredible asset for their company.’

Bri Barnett our fabulous new Development Associate at the @sflgbtcenter! We hired her & we are so lucky! #HireTrans pic.twitter.com/uRgjwSI4fe — Clair Farley (@ClairJoyFarley) May 23, 2016

#HireTrans & #GNC – Crystal is Motorcycle Retail Manager – I believe in the visibility of non-conforming people! pic.twitter.com/RE6ApqurvJ — Trans Employment (@TEEISF) May 22, 2016

Photos: Bob Stafford and Sam Cooper