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A significant legal ruling in 2020 set a precedent for protecting the rights of transgender workers.
The Supreme Court has made a significant ruling in the case of Bostock v. Clayton County, which pertains to transgender rights.
The decision made in 2020 stated that a significant law protecting civil rights also applies to gay and transgender employees, safeguarding them from discrimination in the workplace.
Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, who was appointed to the court by President Donald J. Trump, stated that it is against the law for an employer to fire someone simply for being gay or transgender. This ruling was supported by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and the four liberal justices on the court at the time.
The court ruling consisted of a majority opinion and two opposing opinions, totaling 168 pages. President Donald J. Trump responded to the ruling by stating that he accepted it, having read the decision himself. He acknowledged that some people may have been surprised by the ruling, but emphasized that it was final and that he respected the decision. Trump also described the ruling as a significant and impactful decision.
The justices had to determine the interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, and sex. Their decision revolved around whether the ban on discrimination "because of sex" also covered gay and transgender employees, impacting many individuals in the workforce.
Justice Gorsuch stated that it was indeed the case
The writer stated that if an employer terminates an employee for being homosexual or transgender, they are essentially firing them for characteristics or behaviors that they would not have a problem with in someone of a different gender.
Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. expressed disagreement by stating that the argument presented was incredibly arrogant. He emphasized that there is no proof that any member of Congress understood the statutory text in that manner when the law was passed in 1964.
The law that was discussed prohibited discrimination in the workplace based on a person’s sex. The case being debated focuses on the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause, which is more broadly written and serves as a framework for analysis rather than strict rules. Justice Alito mentioned in 2020 that the court’s decision in this case could have a significant impact on future constitutional cases.
Adam Liptak is a journalist who specializes in reporting on the Supreme Court and legal news. He attended Yale Law School and worked as a lawyer for 14 years before starting his career at The New York Times in 2002. Click to learn more about Adam Liptak.
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