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Why U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision to protect LGBT employees is deeply personal for me
The United States Supreme Court has voted 6-3 that employers cannot discriminate against LGBTQ+ workers – we are protected under existing civil rights law.
I was braced for the worst on this one so I’m shocked and thrilled that the high court has done the correct thing.
It makes me think of my first job out of college. It was at a small magazine in San Diego and I was thrilled to be a professional writer.
One day, I overheard the general manager say to the assistant editor: “I wouldn’t have hired Greg if I thought he was gay.” I’ll never forget it – the way my face burned when I overheard him. It wasn’t anger which is what I would feel now. It was fear.
But apparently to him, I passed. I clearly had learned to butch it up in college. I eventually left that job after a year to begin my career in newspapers. But I would spend the next decade determined to “pass” professionally in the newsroom.
It led to an agonizing double life and exhausting compartmentalization.
I had to become strong personally and professionally to be out and proud at work and become outspoken about LGBT representation and coverage. It took years. That journey brought me three years ago to my current job as writer-editor for the Los Angeles LGBT Center, the largest LGBT organization in the world.
The Center released this statement today:
In response to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decision today in three employment discrimination cases that employees cannot be fired because of sexual orientation and gender identity, the Los Angeles LGBT Center issued the following statement:
“Today, the Supreme Court stood for the rights of LGBT people, affirming that we have the right to be protected from employment discrimination under federal law.
“The Court’s 6-to-3 decision in favor of nondiscrimination indicates a significant shift towards permanent acceptance of LGBT rights. In its opinion, the Court found that ‘an employer who discriminates against homosexual or transgender employees necessarily and intentionally applies sex-based rules,’ which are in violation of the protections of Title VII of the Civil Right Act of 1964.
“To those who argue the Civil Rights Act of 1964 could not have foreseen questions of sexual orientation and gender identity, it is now decided that ‘the limits of the drafters’ imagination supply no reason to ignore the law’s demands.
“Although today’s decision is a historic victory, it comes as we still fight for true equality and justice on many fronts. We know that one court decision alone is not enough: legal equality in certain areas does not mean that you are equal in today’s America.
“Black LGBT people still face deadly intolerance and discrimination at the intersection of their identities, reminding us that none of us are free until all of us are treated equally under the law and by society. Just last week two more Black transgender women, Riah Milton and Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells, were murdered, as was Rayshard Brooks, another unarmed Black man killed by the police this weekend in Atlanta.
“There are still far too many intentional gaps in federal law that allow for LGBT people to be discriminated against in federally-funded programs, including hospitals, colleges, adoption agencies, and public accommodations like hotels and restaurants.
“And the decision also stands in stark contrast to the Trump Administration’s actions. Just last week, the Department of Health and Human Services instituted a rule that seeks to roll back anti-discrimination protections in the Affordable Care Act for LGBTQ people in the midst of a public health crisis.
“We call on Congress to use today’s decision to align with the Court and the overwhelming majority of Americans and pass the Equality Act to ensure full federal non-discrimination protections for all LGBTQ people.”
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
K. Martinez says:
Great decision by the U.S. Supreme court and great personal story, Greg.
Joseph Mahnke says:
Absolutely thrilled to see the results by the US Supreme Court. A proper result is always a joy to see, espec for LGBT folks!! Life throws us enough curve balls, and we’ve had to seek justice via lawsuits, or defense against business lawsuits. Hurray for our LGBT community!!
Charles Chan Massey says:
Greg, thank you for sharing this beautiful narrative that many of us of a certain age can definitely relate to. I sent you a PM just now.
Rick Gould says:
I can certainly relate, Greg, and thanks for sharing your story!
Cheers, Rick