#DecisionDay: A Win for LGBTQ+ People at the Supreme Court Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States released its rulings on three cases that affect whether a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) person can be fired or never hired for whom they love or for being who they are. Each decision affects the extent that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LGBTQ+ people. Brian K. Bond, Executive Director of PFLAG National, released the following statement: "PFLAG families across the country are celebrating and breathing a little easier today, knowing that their LGBTQ+ loved ones are protected from employment discrimination. Today’s 6-3 opinion on Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, Altitude Express v. Zarda, and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC stands to affirm the Civil Rights Act of 1964, reminding us that all people — inclusive of LGBTQ+ people — deserve the rights and protections of the Constitution. This is a momentous step, but there remains much more work to do to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. During this time of pandemic, historic unemployment, healthcare limitations, and civil unrest to end systemic racism and white supremacy, PFLAG members are keenly aware that federal law does not fully protect our LGBTQ+ loved ones, including transgender people of color, especially Black trans people. When the U.S. rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of these protections for LGBTQ+ people will become abundantly clear. Without protection, banks and landlords will not have to extend payment leniency for credit or housing as they would for other protected groups, and LGBTQ+ people will still be excluded from access to public services, public education, public spaces, and jury duty. As PFLAG members march and work to effect lasting, systemic change to end racial injustice and support Black lives, we recognize that among those systemic solutions is passage of the Equality Act to ensure people who need housing, education, credit, and health care get it. We need the U.S. Senate to join the House and pass the Equality Act." You can read the full decision here: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/17-1618_hfci.pdf. |
