Washington ( CNN ) -- Transgender groups are applauding a court ruling in favor of a Georgia woman who sued after claiming she was fired from her state position because of a sex change . A federal appeals court in Atlanta concluded transgender workers are protected under the Constitution . Vandiver Elizabeth Glenn was a legislative editor in the Georgia General Assembly . `` The question here is whether discriminating against someone on the basis of his or her gender non-conformity constitutes sex-based discrimination under the Equal Protection Clause , '' said the three-judge panel . `` We hold that it does . '' The 19-page ruling came last week , not long after the court heard oral arguments in Atlanta , a very fast turnaround in such an appeal . Glenn -- who was once known as Glenn Morrision -- alleged she was told she was let go because her 2005 decision to transition from male to female would be viewed as `` immoral '' by state lawmakers . Her boss also objected to Glenn showing up at an office Halloween party dressed as a woman , and asked Glenn to leave . A federal judge later concluded Glenn 's supervisor believed the gender reassignment was inappropriate , disruptive and would make her co-workers uncomfortable . The judge , when ruling for Glenn , had said she could return to work , but delayed that until the appeals court ruled . Monday 's decision means she could be back on the job within days . State attorneys had argued no discrimination laws were broken since protections extended to certain classes of individuals did not include transgender employees . The appeals panel said the reasons cited by the state in its defense were not acceptable . `` An individual can not be punished because of his or her perceived gender non-conformity , '' said the ruling . `` Because these protections are afforded to everyone , they can not be denied to a transgender individual . '' The court added , `` For example , courts have held that plaintiffs can not be discriminated against for wearing jewelry that was considered too effeminate , carrying a serving tray too gracefully , or taking too active a role in child-rearing . '' Among the judges who supported the woman , who now goes by Vandy Beth Glenn , was William Pryor , one of the most conservative federal appeals judges . He was named to the court by President George W. Bush in 2005 . The state has the option of appealing to the Supreme Court for review . The case is Glenn v. Brumby ( 10-14833 ) .
Transgender workers are protected under the Constitution , a judicial panel rules . Text: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Supreme_Allocation_and_Disqualifications_for_the._Public.,_Section_1984#UnitedStates_v@@ Vandy Beth Glenn says she was told her change would be viewed as `` immoral ''