March 19, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Local Leaders Celebrate Supreme Court LGBT Discrimination Ban

Supreme Court votes 6-3 in case Bostock v. Clayon County, Georgia

By Sam Catanzaro

Los Angeles-area leaders are celebrating the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decision Monday in three employment discrimination cases that employees cannot be fired because of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The vote was 6-to-3 in the case, Bostock v. Clayon County, Georgia. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch wrote the majority opinion. He was joined by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan.

“Federal courts have consistently determined that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is unlawful under Title VII,” said City of West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath on Monday. “Today’s landmark ruling affirms what Federal courts and LGBTQ leaders across the nation have been loudly proclaiming for decades: that no person should be fired or denied employment for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Today marks an historic win as we celebrate Pride Month in West Hollywood and in cities across the nation.”

The City of West Hollywood has been one of the most outspoken cities in the nation in advocating for the legal rights of LGBT people. More than 40 percent of residents in the City of West Hollywood identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. The City of West Hollywood is one of the first municipalities to form a Lesbian and Gay Advisory Board and a Transgender Advisory Board, which each address matters of advocacy in the areas of education, community awareness, and empowerment, and make recommendations to the West Hollywood City Council.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, who in 1994 became California’s first openly gay California legislator, celebrated the decision as well

“In these times when the federal government is ruthlessly attacking LGBTQ rights, I am grateful to see SCOTUS affirm that Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation are protected characteristics within the meaning of Title VII. LGBTQ people have the right to work, in all 50 states, without fear of losing their jobs due to discrimination,” Kuehl–whose 3rd District includes West Hollywood–said.

The Bostock v. Clayton County decision opinion combined three cases before the Court: Bostock as well as Altitude Express, Inc. et al v. Zarda, and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes, Inc. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

“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,” said the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Each of the three cases involved an employer firing a long-time employee shortly after the employee revealed that they were LGBT.

“Because discrimination on the basis of homosexuality or transgender status requires an employer to intentionally treat individual employees differently because of their sex, an employer who intentionally penalizes an employee for being homosexual or transgender also violates Title VII,” read the majority opinion.

Despite this victory, the Los Angeles LGBT Center said more needs to be done. 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.

“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,” the Center said. “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.”

“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,” the Center added.

Related Posts

Woman Sentenced for $3.9 Million Fraud and Body Disposal Scheme with Elderly Victim

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Gruesome Attempt to Dispose of Victim’s Body in West Los Angeles Apartment A San Fernando Valley woman has been sentenced...

West Hollywood Hosts Documentary Screening on Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom Tuesday

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

City’s Human Rights Speakers Series to Feature Award-Winning Film, Discussion The City of West Hollywood’s Human Rights Speakers Series is...

Roadway Construction Alert at LAX: Plan Your Travel Accordingly

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Lane Restrictions Scheduled Nightly from March 17 to March 23 After this weekend’s closures of Century Boulevard, which frustrated travelers...

Nex Benedict’s Family Releases Statement on Medical Examiner’s Cause of Death

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Family Shares Details from Autopsy Report to Prevent Misinformation Nex Benedict’s family has released a statement through their attorney regarding...

GLAAD Announces Recipients for 35th Annual Media Awards at Gala Ceremony in Beverly Hills

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Oprah Winfrey, Niecy Nash-Betts Among Honorees; Ceremony to Stream on Hulu GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and...

Los Angeles Marathon 2024 Concludes: Annual Race Draws International Talent and Record Numbers

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Top finishers from Kenya and Ethiopia lead the race, with U.S. representation among the leaders The 39th Annual Los Angeles...

FBI Seeks Victims of Alleged Online Exploitation Scheme Allegedly Run by Resident of Santa Monica

March 17, 2024

March 17, 2024

Individuals Urged to Come Forward in Investigation of John Douglas Burch The FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office is urging individuals to...

Venice Family Clinic Announces Inaugural HEART Gala to Celebrate Health and Art

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Event Honors Creative Community and Supporters of Vital Health Care Services Venice Family Clinic, a non-profit community health center dedicated...

(Video) Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD Responds to News of Nex Benedict’s Cause of Death

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, responds to the release of the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Ruling on Nex...

“Love Lies Bleeding” is Ripped: Actress Katy O’Brian Talks Love, Sex, and Vulnerability

March 15, 2024

March 15, 2024

Katy O’Brian is a Breakout Star Who Shines in Loving and Hilariously Violent Crime Film English film director Rose Glass’...

OUTLOUD Music Festival Returns for WeHo Pride, Releases Stunning Weekend Lineup

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

West Hollywood’s Celebration to Feature Headliners Kylie Minogue and Janelle Monáe The OUTLOUD Music Festival is set to make its...

Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office Releases Cause of Nex Benedict’s Death

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

The Full Autopsy Report Will Be Released in Ten Days, Questions Remain The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office has released...

IRS Launches Direct File Pilot of Free Filing Tool for Taxpayers in California, 11 Other States

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Free, Convenient Online Tax Filing Option Now Available for Eligible Individuals The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the official launch...

Chef Roy Choi Brings Tacos Por Vida to LA With Soft Opening in Palms

March 13, 2024

March 13, 2024

The Lines Are Already Growing at This Newest Roy Choi Taco Stand Celebrated chef Roy Choi is celebrating the debut...

Countdown to the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon: Road Closures Ahead

March 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

Annual Marathon Comes with Saint Patrick’s Day Twist in 2024 Just three days from now, the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon...