Our Blog: Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Chicago Pride 2019 is done, wrapping up a month-long celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. This year’s Pride drew in record numbers of an estimated 100,000 people from all over the world, coming together to celebrate being themselves. However, while crowds came out in droves to show their support of the LGBT community, it is still important …

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As some of you may recall, in April of 2017, the Seventh Circuit issued a HUGELY important decision, ruling that a federal anti-discrimination statute prohibits sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace.  If you missed it or want to understand more fully how this decision helped create a workplace sexual orientation circuit split, take a look at our blog post on …

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The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals is positioned to join the 7th Circuit in deciding that Title VII prohibits sexual orientation discrimination at work.

In April of this year,  the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals here in Chicago made history when it decided that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits sexual orientation discrimination.  See Kristin’s post to read more about …

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The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals hands down a seminal ruling holding that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects LGBT employees from workplace discrimination.

I have long bemoaned the fact that federal law does not protect LGBT employees from discrimination. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act outlaws discrimination based on “sex” but courts have always interpreted that to refer …

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Argues Sexual Orientation Discrimination Prohibited by Title VII

Last week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) took a big step forward in protecting employees from sexual orientation discrimination and harassment in the workplace.  In U.S. EEOC v. Scott Medical Health Center, P.C. and U.S. EEOC v. IFCO Systems North America, two cases filed last week in Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively, the …

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Kate Sedey was a contributor to Bloomberg BNA’s new treatise called “Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Discrimination in the Workplace: A Practical Guide”   This was made available for purchase October of 2014!

Debate Ended on Employment Non-Discrimination Act; Time for a Vote!

On Monday, the U.S. Senate voted 61-30 to end debate on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (a bill which would prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity) and bring it up for a vote.  The full Senate is expected to consider the bill today for the first time since …

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Show Your Support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act!

I just wanted to drop a quick line to say how excited we are that ENDA has been passed out of committee by an overwhelming majority (15 to 7, including at least two Republican supporters).  ENDA is short-hand for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which aims to make discrimination on the basis of LGBT status unlawful.

Now …

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An Inspiring Article about the Struggles of Coming Out at Work

Earlier this week Rick Welts, the former Executive Vice President of the NBA and the current President and Chief Executive of the Phoenix Suns professional basketball team, opened up about his sexuality.  After decades of living what the New York Times refers to as a “shadow life,” he felt it was time …

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Tell your U.S. representative to help pass ENDA now!

Imagine getting fired. Not because you aren’t good at your job. Not because you show up late or slack off.

Imagine getting fired solely because you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. In most states that is fully legal.

We are pushing for a vote on the bill that would end this injustice soon after …

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