Dear John,

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court today has affirmed that employers can’t unfairly fire or otherwise discriminate against LGBTQ people in the workplace! This is a historic victory and a watershed moment for LGBTQ people across the nation.

The opinion, authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch states, “Today, we must decide whether an employer can fire someone simply for being homosexual or transgender. The answer is clear. 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.”

In the midst of the COVID-19 health crisis and vitally important nationwide demonstrations in support of Black lives and against systemic racism, these decisions are heartening and encouraging. But the work is not over. We need our lawmakers to take us across the finish line. Sign the petition to tell state and federal elected officials to support comprehensive LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections now.

There are still shocking and critical gaps in our nondiscrimination laws, particularly in housing, public places, federal programs, and more. The harsh reality is that many LGBTQ people face harassment and mistreatment in their daily lives, even outside of work. And LGBTQ people of color — particularly Black transgender women—face even higher rates of discrimination and, too often, violence.

This is why we, alongside our member organizations, are working on the ground to ensure that we follow this win at the Supreme Court with action to ensure that state legislatures enact comprehensive nondiscrimination protections in every state and Congress passes the Equality Act to protect all Americans. Tell your lawmakers that now is the time to take urgent action to protect LGBTQ people from discrimination everywhere.

We won’t settle for anything less than full protections and full equality.

In solidarity,

Rebecca Isaacs,
Executive Director
Equality Federation