Black women applaud U.S. Supreme Court decision protecting LGBTQ workers from discrimination

Statement by In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda Founder and President Marcela Howell

WASHINGTON — Today the Supreme Court issued a ruling that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which makes it illegal for employers to discriminate because of a person’s sex, also protects LGBTQ workers. In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda President Marcela Howell issued the following statement:

“We applaud the U.S. Supreme Court justices for upholding the rights of LGBTQ+ workers. This 6 to 3 ruling is especially important for Black LGBTQ+ workers, who battle racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia in their daily lives. With today’s decision, the court sends an important message to employers across the country about the rights of LGBTQ+ people.

“This decision will have broad reaching impact. Until today, it was still legal in 29 states to fire someone from their job because of their gender expression or sexual orientation. Now those workers are entitled to workplaces free of discrimination.

“But the struggle continues, as the Trump administration also just announced its latest attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, rolling back Obama-era protections against discrimination in health care for transgender people. Along with the ongoing crisis of violence perpetrated against Black trans women and other queer people of color in this country, it is clear that the fight for justice, equity and human rights on behalf of our LGBTQ+ continues.

“We must demand justice and equal protection against violence, bigotry and discrimination for all people. We challenge elected officials to stand up to the most recent attacks against LGBTQ+ people. We also encourage voters to demand LGBTQ+ equality and to hold their elected representatives accountable.”