Gay, Lesbian & Transgender Workers Protected Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

The United States Supreme Court ruled that employers who fire workers for being gay or transgender are in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on sex.

The ruling handed the LGBTQ community a major civil rights victory.

“Today, we must decide whether an employer can fire someone simply for being homosexual or transgender,” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote for a 6-3 majority. “The answer is clear. An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions it would not have questioned in members of a different sex. Sex plays a necessary and undisguisable role in the decision, exactly what Title VII forbids.” 

Onwards HR proudly supports the LGBTQ community, and we look forward to helping companies adhere to the recent ruling. Request a demo to see how our tool promotes workplace diversity.