LGBTQ Equality
We are proud and ardent supporters of the LGTBQ community, working tirelessly to protect the civil rights of our family, neighbors, friends and clients in this community. The fight has only just begun to achieve fair and equal rights.
Laws protecting the LGBTQ community have expanded in recent years. In 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled same-sex couples are free to legally marry. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission now recognizes protections against discrimination in the workplace for transgender employees. King & Greisen, LLP attorneys worked with Charlie Craig and David Mullins and the ACLU in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case to secure a victory in the U.S. Supreme Court recognizing that the LGTBQ community “cannot be treated as social outcasts or as inferior in dignity and worth.”
Unfortunately, we are still far from achieving equality. Hostility against this community is found in every corner of our lives – from politics, businesses, and the street corners, to our nation’s courtrooms.
Despite the hostility, there are federal and state laws that protect the civil rights of the LGTBQ community. If you have been discriminated against or harassed by your employer, a business, or other organizations because of your status as a member of the LGTBQ community you may have the right to take legal action.
LGBT Discrimination in the Workplace
Statistics show the LGBT community to be one of the most discriminated against groups in the workforce and throughout the world. Nearly a quarter of all LGBT individuals report experiencing discrimination while on the job.
Despite a significant number of people in the workforce identifying as members of the LGTBQ community, there are still many places where employers or other employees are not tolerant to, and in fact are openly hostile to, members of the LGBTQ community.
Examples of discrimination against LGBT individuals could include:
- Termination
- Failure to hire and failure to promote
- Less favorable work assignments
- Choose a less qualified candidate over an LGBT employee for promotion
- Discrimination in pay or benefits
- Discrimination based on perception or assumption of sexual orientation
- Being disciplined for using the “wrong” restroom or wearing attire that does not fit a certain stereotype
- Being excluded from business lunches, management retreats or similar activities
If you have been treated unfairly in the workplace and you believe the treatment is related to your status as an LGBT individual, you may have a right to take action.
LGTBQ Discrimination in the Workplace
LGTBQ discrimination is often invidious in the workplace. All members of this community, especially those who identify as a gender different than the sex they were assigned at birth can experience harassment and other problems at work.
Though it’s possible these experiences can be simple misunderstandings, there are also instances in which members of the LGTBQ community are treated poorly and the actions are intentional.
Although our society has become more accepting of some in this community, transgender individuals are still a very vulnerable group. Efforts are underway to create laws specifically designed to protect transgender individuals in the workplace. Some courts have protected the civil rights of the transgender community under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits job discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, and nation of origin. However, some courts have found that those protections do not specifically extend to LGBT people.
There are several states, including Colorado, that specifically protect the civil rights of the LGTBQ employees to work in a non-discriminatory and non-hostile work environment. We are committed to the enforcement of these laws and remain hopeful that with hard work and vigilance, additional states will take similar action in coming years.
If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination in the workplace based on your sexual orientation or because you identify as a different gender than the sex you were assigned at birth, you should not be silent. It is only because members of this community are willing to stand up and fight for their rights that effective change is made. Working with a proven and effective advocate is critical to obtaining the maximum recovery in your sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination case.
LGTBQ Discrimination in the Community
Colorado has specific laws that protect the civil rights of the LGTBQ community when they try to use public services, such as government services, hotels, hospitals, business, or seek housing.
King & Greisen, LLP are experienced attorneys who are committed to ensuring that these laws are enforced and have been actively involved with organizations that advocate for these protections. We are on the Board of Directors of OneColorado, Colorado’s largest LGTBQ advocacy group that fights to advance these interests, as well as other LGTBQ advocacy groups. We would be honored to help you if you have faced discrimination by any such entity or organization and continue our fight to ensure equal rights for all. We are who we are. Love is love.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact King Greisen LLP at 303.298.9878 or by email at kg@kinggreisen.com.