FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Cathy Renna, crenna@thetaskforce.org, 917-757-6123
Statement from Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund re: Title VII Supreme Court Decision “Heartening news for LGBTQ communities, particularly at this time, and a watershed moment for civil rights…..”
At this most challenging time for our community, the country and the world, it is heartening to see the Court decision bolstering fairness and equality in this country by affirming that LGBTQ+ people are protected from employment discrimination under federal law. Every person celebrating this ruling has decades of work by Black and Brown trans members of our community, in particular, to thank for the ability to work free from discrimination. And while this is a watershed moment for fairness and equality, our struggle for LGBTQ liberation, we still have work to do.
We must close critical gaps in nondiscrimination protections. For example, it is still legal to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people in federally funded programs, including hospitals, colleges, and adoption agencies, as well as discriminate against LGBTQ+, women, and others in public accommodations, including hotels and restaurants. Congress must join with the Supreme Court and the overwhelming majority of Americans to pass full federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people.
As we face so many critical, life-saving issues, this decision indicates that we can indeed come together and protect all in the workplace. Given the challenging health and economic crisis the U.S. is currently experiencing, and the ushering in of a worldwide movement calling for racial justice, it is more important than ever to protect workers—from nurses and doctors to those working in restaurants and hotels.
Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund
The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund advances full freedom, justice, and equity for LGBTQ people. We are building a future where everyone can be free to be their entire selves in every aspect of their lives. Today, despite all the progress we’ve made to end discrimination, millions of LGBTQ people face barriers in every aspect of their lives: in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights. For more information go to thetaskforceactionfund.org