Oct 8, 2019

Equality North Carolina Responds To Title VII SCOTUS Opening Arguments

For Immediate Release

October 8, 2019

James Michael Nichols | Equality NC | james@equalitync.org | 919-829-0343

Equality North Carolina Responds To Title VII SCOTUS Opening Arguments

Dignity and respect for LGBTQ people is on the line at the Supreme Court.

Raleigh – On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will hear opening arguments for three monumental cases that deal with discrimination LGBTQ people experience in the workplace. These cases will determine whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 extends employment discrimination protections to Americans on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

The folks at the heart of these cases are everyday people. Aimee Stephens worked as a funeral director in Michigan and was fired after coming out to her boss as transgender and expressing a desire to bring her full self to work. Donald Zarda was fired from his job as a skydiving instructor for being gay. So was Gerald Lynn Bostock, who worked as a county child welfare services coordinator in Georgia. All three of these people -- and countless other Americans -- lost their jobs simply for being who they are.

Equality NC Executive Director Kendra R. Johnson said:

“These three cases before the Supreme Court hold more weight for the most vulnerable members of our communities than the marriage cases of several years ago. We currently have no discrimination protections for LGBTQ people in the state of North Carolina. All people deserve the right to work hard and support themselves and their families without fear of harassment or discrimination at work -- or in any other realm of their lives.”

The Supreme Court decision about these three cases is expected in Spring 2020. Please follow Equality NC on Facebook and Twitter for updates.