On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling protecting LGBTQ workers from discrimination in the workplace. This is considered a huge win for the LGBTQ community, as the Trump administration had largely argued against the ruling, stating that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that bars discrimination based on sex does not extend to claims of gender identity and sexual orientation.
The ruling was 6-3, with Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Neal Gorsuch writing the opinion. The opinion states “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.” The opinion goes on to say, “There is simply no escaping the role intent plays here: Just as sex is necessarily a but-for cause when an employer discriminates against homosexual or transgender employees, an employer who discriminates on these grounds inescapably intends to rely on sex in its decisionmaking.”
The ruling came as a surprise to some, as two traditionally conservative judges voted against the conservative administration’s wishes. Twenty-two states have statutes in place that protect workers from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, while twenty-one states have statutes in place to protect workers from discrimination based on gender identity. Now, after the federal ruling, workers in all states should be protected from discrimination based on their gender identity or sexual orientation.
If you believe you are someone who has been discriminated in the workplace either due to your race, sexual orientation, or gender, there is a very good chance you may have grounds for a discrimination case against your employer. Our firm is here to help all those who have been treated unfairly in the workplace. Please do not hesitate to give our experienced Georgia employment rights attorney a call today to learn more about what we can do for you.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED GEORGIA FIRM
If you need help with an employment law matter in the state of Georgia, you can count on Ben Barrett Law to effectively represent your interests. With over 30 years of experience, Attorney Barrett has the skill and experience necessary to help you navigate the complexities of any employment law matter you may be facing. To discuss your case with a legal team you can trust, please do not hesitate to contact Ben Barrett Law today.
