June 15, 2020
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on whether Title VII of the federal 1964 Civil Rights Act protects LGBTQ workers from employment discrimination, extending protections to LGBTQ workers. Christina Wilson Remlin, Lead Counsel at Children’s Rights, issued the following statement in response to today’s landmark 6-3 decision:
“This is a joyful day for the entire LGBTQ community, and for decent Americans everywhere. Recognizing the broad intent of the drafters of the Civil Rights Act, the Supreme Court said it loud and clear: an employer who fires someone for being gay or transgender defies the law. LGBTQ young people are valuable members of our nation’s workforce, often in the service industry in which they do not have tremendous job security. Hearing from the Supreme Court directly that they are protected from discrimination in their workplaces will be a tremendous encouragement to them, especially in these uncertain times. As a native Georgian, I celebrate this day especially for Gerald Bostock — the plaintiff named in one of the two cases decided today — who worked tirelessly for children in Clayton County, Georgia as a child welfare advocate. Under his leadership, the county won national awards for its work, but they repaid him by firing him after ten years because he joined a gay softball league. Mr. Bostock‘s contributions to the child welfare field have now been vindicated by the Supreme Court.”