US: Amid Setbacks, Supreme Court Takes a Step Forward on LGBTQ Worker Rights

In June, the US Supreme Court ruled that the protections against discrimination afforded by the 1964 Civil Rights Act also apply to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) employees. More than 50 years after the Civil Rights Acts, these workers suffered the risk of being fired at any time due to their sexuality with little legal recourse. The ruling represents a significant step forward, but it should be noted that other recent decisions allow discrimination against LGBTQ employees based on religious beliefs. In short, the ruling represents progress, but more work needs to be done.

In the ruling, Justice Neil Gorsuch noted that it would be impossible to discriminate against the LGBTQ community without discriminating “on the basis of sex,” an action specifically prohibited by the original Title VII mandate. That rule is the section of the Civil Rights Act specifically prohibiting discrimination against employees based on race, color, national origin, sex, or religion.

Takeaway: For companies and their workers, the ruling clarifies that the fight against the same biases and discriminations that have been recognized for other groups now extends to the LGBTQ community. The ruling represents a long-awaited victory, 56 years after the original Civil Rights Act. AGS stands clearly in support of the LGBTQ community and applauds this development. We know, however, there is much work to do in fighting discrimination, and we are committed to cultivating an inclusive culture that embraces the LGBTQ community.

US: Amid Setbacks, Supreme Court Takes a Step Forward on LGBTQ Worker Rights

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