Supreme Court Issues Ruling to Protect L.G.B.T.Q. Employees

On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court issued a 6-to-3 ruling that held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 applies to discrimination against gay and transgender workers. 42 U.S.C. §2000e-2(a)(1) makes it “unlawful … for an employer to fail or refuse to hire or discharge any individual, or otherwise to discriminate against any individual… because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.” The Court held that an employer who discriminates or terminates an employee because they are transgender or because of their sexual orientation, is discriminating because of sex, and is therefore in violation of the statute.

The full opinion can be found here: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/17-1618_hfci.pdf

Categories: Employment