Title VII Made Stronger In Recent Court Decision
The idea that it is illegal to discriminate against LGBT persons and that their civil rights are protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act was just made stronger by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
According to an article appearing on the Workforce.com website, this victory adds to a number of other victories involving LGBT people. The case, EEOC & Aimee Stephens v. R.G. & G.R. Funeral Homes, Inc.
It was the opinion of the Court that R.G. & G.R. Funeral Home, the employer of Aimee Stevens, who was formerly Anthony Stephens, when she was hired, was discriminated against when she informed her boss, Thomas Rost, that she was going through her transition from male to female and intended to dress as a woman while at work. Rost, a devout Christian, fired Stevens shortly thereafter.
An earlier federal court decision in the state of Michigan dismissed the case claiming that LGBT discrimination is not specifically covered under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This latest decision by the 6th Circuit State of Appeals disagrees with this conclusion and said in the Court opinion:
“We hold that the EEOC could pursue a claim under Title VII on the ground that the Funeral Home discriminated against Stephens on the basis of her transgender status and transitioning identity.”
The Court further pointed out that discrimination against workers because they do not conform to sex stereotypes is illegal.
Judicial watch and employment law experts are expecting the case to come before the United States Supreme Court for a final decision.
