civil rights

Supreme Court expands workplace equality to LGBTQ employees, but questions remain

By |

People gather near the Stonewall Inn in New York City to celebrate the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on LGBTQ workers’ rights. John Lamparski/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Even before the Supreme Court’s June 15 decision, many Americans already – and incorrectly – believed that federal law protected lesbians, gay men and transgender people from being fired or otherwise discriminated against at work. The road to the ruling confirming that belief involved years of advocacy and many losses – and while this decision is a landmark in that effort, more legal work remains to be done to determine the full scope of LGBTQ workers’ rights. Concerns about sex discrimination

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a historic law that banned U.S. employers from discriminating against workers on the basis of their race, color, religion, national origin and sex. During the bill’s debate, members of the House and Senate had lengthy discussions about discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion and national origin – but the “sex” category sparked little serious debate.

civil rights

SCOTUS rules in favor of LGBTQ workers

By , Illinois Eagle Editor |

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQ workers are protected by civil rights laws in a decision announced on Monday.

The case was one of two major LGBTQ issues up before the high court this term.

The Associated Press reported that court decided in a 6-3 vote hat a key provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 known as Title VII that bars job discrimination because of sex, among other reasons, encompasses bias against LGBTQ workers.

civil rights

Trump administration removes transgender, LGBTQ health protections

By , Illinois Eagle Editor |

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has finalized the process started last year and removed LGBTQ health protections, National Public Radio reported Friday evening.

“HHS respects the dignity of every human being, and as we have shown in our response to the pandemic, we vigorously protect and enforce the civil rights of all to the fullest extent permitted by our laws as passed by Congress,” said Roger Severino, who directs the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services, in written statement announcing that the HHS rule had become final. The rule is set to go into effect by mid-August.

The administration has been working toward this since last year.

Statewide

ACLU of Illinois condemns Catholic Charities brief for LGBTQ adoption discrimination

By , Illinois Eagle Editor |

CHICAGO — The ACLU of Illinois condemned an amicus brief filed by Joliet- and Springfield-based Catholic Charities in a U.S. Supreme Court case on LGBTQ adoption.

The Supreme Court is hearing a lawsuit brought by Catholic Social Services (CSS) and three foster parents against Philadelphia in 2018. The city had excluded the organization in city services because it refused to allow same-sex couples to become foster parents from the city’s foster care system.

National

Lambda Legal: LGBTQ POC more at risk of police violence

By , Illinois Eagle Editor |

WASHINGTON — On Monday, Lambda Legal submitted written testimony to the Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice highlighting the disproportionate levels of violence and abuse that LGBTQ people, especially LGBTQ people of color.