EEOC Expands Coverage for LGBT Individuals [View all]
EEOC Expands Coverage for LGBT Individuals
On the heels of the historic same-sex marriage Supreme Court decision, http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=QcSunKnpsqa2u1EAWtY0%2FuwOrswW8oVh the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued a ruling stating that existing civil rights laws prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual-orientation. The ruling directly concerns federal employees but also applies to the entire EEOC, which handles discrimination claims around the country including those in private employment. Although the Supreme Court could issue a different ruling in the future, and a challenge to this ruling is likely, EEOC decisions are given a great deal of weight in federal courts. While this EEOC ruling is momentous, there is still work to be done to codify anti-discrimination protections. Currently, less than half of the states - 22, plus the District of Columbia - have laws protecting LGBT individuals. Moreover, municipalities that are working to address this issue through local ordinances are often preempted http://www.aauw.org/2015/06/25/preemption-bills/ by state laws.