ICYMI: Yesterday’s Gay Rights Breakthrough Will Put a Smile on Your Face
It’s an uncertain time for the LGBTQ+ community, with President Trump’s administration threatening existing rights and possible future steps forward. And while rainbow-clad partiers have let Vice President Pence know how they feel (loud and clear and with a whole lotta movin’ and groovin’) when he moved into his new neighborhood, yesterday marked another awesome day for gay rights, and you’ll LOVE the reason why.
The US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit concluded on Tuesday, in an 8-3 ruling, that current federal civil rights law (i.e. the Civil Rights Act of 1964) protects workers from discrimination based on their sexual orientation. This means it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against LGBTQ+ employees.
Sparked by a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission along with a lawsuit, a woman named Kimberly Hively claimed that Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana was refusing to hire her full-time because she’s a lesbian.
Though initially unsuccessful, Hively continued to fight, arguing that the anti-gay discrimination aimed at her was illegal under federal law, until the Seventh Circuit Court (which applies to Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin) sided with her. And though the new ruling does not apply across the country and could be reversed by the Supreme Court, it could also be affirmed by the judges, which would make it a national ruling.
Hopefully, this is a signal that we’ll continue to move forward instead of taking dangerous steps back when it comes to acceptance and LGBTQ rights.
What do you think about this recent LGBTQ ruling? Let us know @BritandCo!
(h/t Vox; photos via Neilson Barnard/Getty)