The Sword Lily Scribbler

On October 8, 2019, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear three cases about the rights of LGBTQ+ people and decide if Article VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They will determine if the federal government bars employment discrimination based on sexual preference or gender identity. LGBTQ+ rights advocates have watched the case closely. Swing vote Justice Kennedy - a defender of LGBTQ+ rights - has been replaced by the more conservative Kavanaugh, leading some LGBTQ advocates to worry about the possible outcomes.

Article VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against their employees based on “sex, race, color, national origin, and religion.” The three cases that the Supreme Court will rule on whether the “sex” part of the act can apply to prohibit LGBTQ discrimination. The Trump administration has taking the view that Article VII does not protect LGBTQ people. Lower courts have been split on the issue, and so the Supreme court will now hear the three cases (detailed below) to decide if employment discrimination against LGBTQ people is legal in the United States.