On Monday, June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court made a ruling that catapulted the country forward into a new era in equality. In a 6-3 victory for LGBTQ advocates, the court extended rights granted in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to gay, lesbian and transgender employees.
While many people thought this protection against workplace discrimination already existed for the gay community, in fact, it did not. Congress has spent over forty years considering whether to add sexual orientation to the list of protected classes, but this Supreme Court ruling made it official.
Writing for the court’s majority, Justice Gorsuch wrote, "An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions it would not have questioned in members of a different sex. Sex plays a necessary and undisguisable role in the decision, exactly what Title VII forbids."
This is a monumental ruling that is going to expand protection of the LGBTQ community. By extending the application of Title VII, the Supreme Court has firmly clarified its position on protecting the basic human rights of those within the LGBTQ community.
It’s been so disheartening having to turn away people who’ve suffered discrimination or retaliation in their workplace because of their sexual orientation. Before this ruling they had no legal protection and there was nothing we could do under the law to help them.
We are elated to finally begin filing lawsuits on behalf of transgender, gay and lesbian workers who’ve been discriminated or retaliated against by their employers.
At USA Employment Lawyers, we advocate for those who have suffered wrongful discrimination and retaliation. We look forward to helping discriminated gay and transgender workers exercise their legal rights in Florida, Illinois and Colorado. Call us at (800) 483-0998 or fill out and submit a contact form to get started on your free case evaluation.