Supreme Court rules in favor of LGBTQ+ employees

On June 15, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled LGBTQ+ workers are protected by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII prohibits discrimination in the workplace because of an employee's race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Previously, federal courts were split on whether Title VII protected LGBTQ+ workers from employment discrimination based on sex. That meant employees in 28 states could be lawfully terminated based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The ruling in favor of three employees fired for their sexual orientation or gender identity is a landmark because it affords LGBTQ+ employees with federal civil rights in the workplace. In a Facebook post on Monday, EqualityMaine called it "a major step forward . . . to once again reaffirm the dignity of LGBTQ Americans."

Bostock v. Clayton County

The Supreme Court reviewed three employment discrimination cases based on sexual orientation or gender identity.