Certain cases for the United States Supreme Court have recently revolved around lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals that were fired or forced to leave their jobs due to their sexual orientation. Lambda Legal has asked the Supreme Court to hear the case of Jameka Evans, a Georgia security guard who was fired from her job because of her sexual orientation. Evans, who worked for Georgia Regional Hospital, endured harassment at her job before she was terminated.
Evans filed suit against her former employer alleging the hospital violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by discriminating against her sexual orientation. Title VII prohibits an employer from discriminating against employees based on sex, race, color, national origin, and religion. Her complaint was dismissed by the district court, claiming Title VII did not refer to sexual orientation and did not protect her as a lesbian woman.
In early 2016, Lambda Legal filed an appeal on her behalf, arguing sexual orientation discrimination is a form of sexual discrimination. In March 2017, the Eleventh Circuit denied the appeal. Lambda Legal is now turning to the Supreme Court. The court’s decision on whether Title VII applies to sexual orientation discrimination will determine whether existing civil rights laws are applicable to sexual orientation discrimination cases.
If you have experienced discrimination at work because of your sexual orientation, the Philadelphia LGBTQ discrimination lawyers at The Gold Law Firm P.C. can help. We fight for your rights until we obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call 215-569-1999 for a free consultation today.
