Prior to June 15, 2020, LGBT individuals were not protected under federal civil rights laws. Shocking, right?
Luckily, that all changed with a US Supreme Court decision that ruled in favor of protecting LGBT employees from workplace discrimination based on sex. You may be surprised to learn that this community suffered sex discrimination for years, and their employers were not punished appropriately because there were no protections in place for this community.
Now, things are different. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title VII extends to LGBT individuals so they now can receive the same protections in the workplace afforded all other US citizens regardless of their gender identity and sexual orientation. The Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling means that more employees are protected under federal law and all employers are accountable for ensuring their LGBT employees do not suffer from illegal discriminatory acts.
Bostock v. Clayton County, GA
The case, Bostock v. Clayton County, GA involved employers firing their employees for being homosexual or transgender. Clayton County, GA fired county employee Gerald Bostock for participating in a gay recreational softball league. Altitude Express fired Donald Zarda after finding out he was gay. R. G. & G. R. Harris Funeral Homes fired Aimee Stephens for presenting herself as a transgender male when she was hired, after saying she would live and work full-time as a woman.
These unfortunate instances all shed light on the fact that far too many employers were previously allowed to fire LGBT employees simply for their sex. Enough is enough. Thus, it is important to report any unlawful behavior against LGBT individuals in the workplace, and if you identify as such, we encourage you to take legal action.
At Shellist Lazarz Slobin LLP, your employment needs are our priority. We treat your issues with the respect and urgency they deserve. As such, you can depend on our lawyers to diligently protect your rights to prevent you from suffering from sex discrimination, and any discrimination prohibited under federal law.
Advocating for Victims of Discrimination
Our employment attorneys are thrilled to see justice being served on behalf of the LGBT community and are hopeful that all employers will take responsibility for preventing workplace discrimination. Through education and awareness, the workplace can be a safer place for everyone, especially for LGBT employees. If you believe your rights were violated and need a seasoned employment discrimination lawyer to fight for justice on your behalf, contact Shellist Lazarz Slobin LLP at (713) 352-3433 now!