Attorney General Phil Weiser says job discrimination against LGBTQ Americans should be banned nationwide under federal civil rights law

July 3, 2019 (DENVER, Colo.)—Today, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser joined 21 attorneys general from around the country in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court that explains that the prohibition on employment discrimination on the basis of sex under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

“Colorado is committed to equality for all of our residents. People should have an equal right to a job regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Everyone should be able to bring their full, authentic selves to their place of work without fear of being fired just because of who they are,” said Weiser.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court said it will review three cases involving LGBTQ workplace discrimination in the 2019 October term. In Zarda v. Altitude Express and Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, federal appeals courts ruled in favor of the employees who were fired for being gay or transgender. In Bostock v. Clayton County, however, a federal appeals court ruled in favor of the employer for firing a Georgia man from his job as a county child welfare services coordinator after learning he is gay.

“On this eve of celebrating our nation’s independence, Colorado is on the side of equality and urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold our nation’s ideal that all people are created equal. In creating Title VII, Congress advanced this ideal of a broad protection against discrimination. It is now up to the Supreme Court to protect all LGBTQ Americans by making clear that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is a form of sex discrimination prohibited under Title VII,” said Weiser.

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in the consolidated cases on October 8.

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CONTACT
Lawrence Pacheco, Director of Communications
(720) 508-6553 office | (720) 245-4689 cell
Email: Lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov