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A significant ruling in 2020 has set a strong example for protecting the rights of transgender employees. Written by Adam Lipt
The highest court in the United States has made a significant ruling regarding the rights of transgender individuals in the case of Bostock v. Clayton County.
The decision made in 2020 stated that a significant civil rights law safeguards gay and transgender employees from discrimination in the workplace.
Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, who was appointed to the court by President Donald J. Trump, stated in a 6-3 ruling that it is illegal for an employer to terminate an employee based solely on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and four members of the court’s liberal wing also supported this decision.
The combined majority opinion and two dissents totaled 168 pages in length. President Donald J. Trump told reporters that he agreed with the ruling, stating that he had read it and although some people were surprised, he accepted and respected the decision. He also described it as a strong and impactful ruling.
The justices were tasked with interpreting a law, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, and sex. They needed to determine whether this prohibition on discrimination based on sex also extended to gay and transgender employees.
Justice Gorsuch stated that it was indeed the case
The writer stated that when an employer terminates an employee for being homosexual or transgender, they are essentially firing them for characteristics or behaviors that would not have been an issue if they were of a different gender.
Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. disagreed with the argument, stating that he found it incredibly arrogant. He also mentioned that there is no evidence to support the claim that any member of Congress interpreted the statutory text in that way when the law was passed in 1964.
The law that was discussed in the case prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on a person’s sex. The case being argued focuses on the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, which is broadly written and sets out a framework for analysis rather than specific 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 reports on the Supreme Court and writes a column called Sidebar about legal news. He attended Yale Law School and worked as a lawyer for 14 years before starting at The New York Times in 2002.
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