We stand with LGBTQ workers as U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in discrimination cases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON — Tomorrow the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in three cases that will decide whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects lesbians, gay men and trans people from workplace discrimination. Marcela Howell, founder and president of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, issued the following statement:

“Today our nation’s highest court will hear arguments in three cases to decide whether LGBTQ workers’ rights are protected under the Civil Rights Act. We support LGBTQ workers and call on the high court to stand on the side of justice and equality by clarifying that discrimination against LGBTQ workers is unconstitutional and prohibited by law.

“The Trump administration has made the marginalization and disenfranchisement of LGBTQ people a top priority. Along with people of color, immigrants and women, LGBTQ people are faced with daily efforts by Trump and his supporters in Congress to roll back hard-won protections. It is the duty of the U.S. Supreme Court, the court of last resort, to stop these attacks and fulfill its obligation to defend the Constitution.

“We demand justice for LGBTQ people and call on Congress to strengthen protections for LGBTQ people no matter where they work or what job they hold. Allowing workplace discrimination is not only unlawful — it is un-American and violates the fundamental principles of liberty and justice for all.”

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In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda is a national reproductive justice organization focused on lifting up the voices of Black women at the national and regional levels in our ongoing policy fight to secure reproductive justice for all women and girls. Our seven strategic partners include Black Women for Wellness, Black Women’s Health Imperative, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, SisterLove, Inc. SisterReach, SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW, Althea Center and Women With A Vision.