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Hispanic Federation Applauds Historic U.S. Supreme Court’s Recognition of Civil Rights In the Workplace for LGBTQ Employees

For Immediate Release: June 15, 2020

Contact:
Gebe Martinez
703-731-9505
gebe.gmnetworking@gmail.com

NEW YORK -- In a landmark civil rights decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled by a vote of 6-3 that Title VII of the 1964 U.S. Civil Rights Act protects LGBTQ employees from being fired. In doing so, the Court recognized that discrimination against LGBTQ employees constitutes sex discrimination, in violation of Title VII, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

“We are thrilled with today’s unexpected victory. This historic civil rights ruling by the high court is the most impactful decision for LGBTQ communities since the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling for same-sex marriage, with an even wider reach. While many people may not choose to get married, every LGBTQ person who works, wants to do so without facing discrimination because of who they are or who they love,” said Hispanic Federation President Frankie Miranda.

However, notwithstanding the huge victory for LGBTQ workers, those seeking justice and equality for LGBTQ people still have a lot of work to do. LGBTQ people are still not protected from discrimination in other areas such as public accommodations, transportation, retail establishments, and federally funded programs such as hospitals, colleges, and adoption agencies. We call on Congress and state legislatures to pass laws that fully protect people based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“With this Supreme Court victory, we have renewed energy to push Congress to pass the Equality Act, which would extend protections from discrimination for LGBTQ individuals in other areas, including housing, credit, public spaces and services, federally funded programs and jury service,” Miranda added.

”But until our nation’s laws address systemic racism, our pursuit for equality will fall short. The impacts of anti-LGBTQ discrimination are felt disproportionately by LGBTQ people of color – these fights for equality are intrinsically tied. We will continue our work to dismantle systemic racism and discrimination at all levels until the laws of this country reflect our values of justice and real equality. As a gay man of color, I have lived most of my life with legal discrimination in one form or another. While we have far more work to do, we can and should celebrate this extraordinary decision,” Miranda concluded.