New York Sexual Orientation Discrimination Lawyers
Also Serving New Jersey and Philadelphia
Despite the myriad of laws protecting your civil rights, men and women are harassed and discriminated against at work every single day. One particularly susceptible population are those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, and transgender. Were you tormented at work due to your sexual orientation? Did an employer refuse to hire you? You are not alone.
The lawyers in our New York office have over a decade of experience helping people fight sexual orientation discrimination. Call (866) 426-7182 or contact us online today.
What Is a Hostile Work Environment?
If you have been tormented so severely that your professional and personal are negatively affected, it could constitute a hostile work environment. In most cases, a one-time incident, teasing, or offensive comments are not enough to be considered a hostile work environment.
However, if you have been consistently called derogatory names, physically assaulted, been sent threatening notes, emails, or texts, and otherwise have been tortured at work, you may have a claim for harassment.
In some instances, if a one or two-time incident was so severe, you might also be entitled to compensation through legal action.
Landmark Sexual Orientation Discrimination Cases
Employment discrimination cases related to sexual orientation have changed the legal landscape over the past several years, setting critical legal precedents that protect employees and uphold workplace equality.
Here are some significant landmark cases, their outcomes, and the impact they’ve had on workplace policies and employee rights:
Bostock v. Clayton County (2020)
Gerald Bostock, a child welfare advocate, was fired after joining a gay recreational softball league. His case, along with the other instances, challenged whether Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protected employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that Title VII’s prohibition of workplace discrimination “because of sex” includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
Zarda v. Altitude Express (2018)
Donald Zarda, a skydiving instructor, was fired after revealing his sexual orientation to a client. He filed a lawsuit under Title VII, alleging sex discrimination. The case reached the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that discrimination based on sexual orientation is inherently discrimination based on sex because it involves assumptions about how an individual should behave based on their gender.
Hively v. Ivy Tech Community College (2017)
Kimberly Hively, an adjunct professor at Ivy Tech Community College, sued her employer for repeatedly denying her full-time positions due to her sexual orientation. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in her favor, concluding for the first time that sexual orientation discrimination violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This case played a significant role in shaping federal circuit case law to align with the principle that sexual orientation discrimination equates to sex discrimination.
Empowering Employees to Take Action
See how we've helped professionals fight back against harassment and retaliation
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The Impact of These Cases in the Workplace
Each of these landmark decisions underscores the growing commitment to enforcing fair and workplace policies. These rulings solidified sexual orientation discrimination as unlawful under Title VII, requiring employers to adopt clearer nondiscrimination policies.
Employers have become increasingly proactive in implementing training to prevent discriminatory behavior and create a more humane workplace. Workers now have stronger legal standing to confront discrimination without fear of retaliation and hold employers accountable for violations of their rights. These cases serve as a reminder that employees do not have to face discrimination in silence.
You Deserve to Live and Work in Peace
No human being should have to suffer harassment at work. No one should have to live in fear of losing their livelihood. If you believe you’re suffering sexual orientation discrimination, our experienced lawyers are here to help. We’ve been doing this work since 2011, and we know how to go about building evidence, developing and presenting a case, filing a claim, and either negotiating or litigating a settlement.
Call our New York office today at (866) 426-7182. We work on contingency, meaning we can only collect a fee if you get a settlement. Your interests and ours are aligned.
