Landmark Supreme Court Decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUPREME COURT RULING AFFIRMS EXISTING 
FEDERAL LAW PROTECTING MILLIONS OF LGBTQ+ PEOPLE
FROM WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION

Decision clarifies that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
protects LGBTQ+ workers from discrimination

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled today that employers cannot unfairly fire or otherwise discriminate against LGBTQ+ people in the workplace. This is a significant victory that upholds the principle that all people should be treated fairly regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

OutFront Kalamazoo is encouraged by this landmark ruling. The 6-3 opinion was written by Justice Neil Gorsuch and concludes with this powerful statement: “An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law.”

“No workplace or worker needs the disruption of discrimination. When someone is turned away from a job because of who they are, the consequences are far reaching for everyone” said OutFront Kalamazoo Executive Director, Amy Hunter. “Now LGBTQ+ employees in all 50 states know that federal law protects them from workplace discrimination. This will change and save lives.” 

The Court ruled that under existing federal sex discrimination law, employers cannot make employment decisions based on what they think it means to be a man or a woman. As important as this news is, there are still critical gaps in nondiscrimination laws, in Michigan and throughout the United States.

“We have been protected from discrimination in many parts of this country for decades, and those protections have proved to be good for business and good for everyone” said Hunter. “LGBTQ+ Michiganders should have the same opportunity as any other person to work hard and provide for themselves and their families. There is so much more to be done.”

While LGBTQ+ people are now protected from discrimination at work, there are certain situations where discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status is still allowed. OutFront Kalamazoo encourages citizens across the state to urge Congress and the Michigan Legislature to continue working toward true equality for ALL people.