June 15, 2020
Carson City, NV
– Today, Nevada
Attorney General Aaron D. Ford issued a statement following the U.S. Supreme
Court’s decision upholding LGBT protections under Title VII.
The Court issued an opinion saying that the language of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, applies to
discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Therefore, an
employer who fires an employee simply for being a member of the LGBT community
is violating Title VII.
“Today the Supreme Court
delivered a landmark decision protecting LGBT workers from discrimination in
the workplace,” said AG Ford. “At a time when many individuals are still
facing discrimination, I’m proud of today’s anti-discriminatory message.
Discrimination has no place in Nevada, and I believe every resident is entitled
to equal protection under the law. I’m encouraged that the Supreme Court
agrees.”
AG Ford has made
protecting the LGBT community and their rights a priority. Accordingly, he
filed an
amicus brief
in the case before the
Supreme Court arguing that sexual orientation and gender identity are protected
under Title VII. In a six to three decision today, the Supreme Court offered
their first decision on LGBT rights since the retirement of former Justice
Anthony M. Kennedy, who previously wrote the majority opinions on the Court’s
biggest LGBT rights decisions.
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