How many states can you be fired for being lgbtq

Employment Nondiscrimination

In June 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender persona is illegal under Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sex in employment. As a result of this ruling, LGBTQ people across the country can last to file complaints with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and seek recourse for discrimination in the workplace through federal courts.

Note that some states also have explicit laws against employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and these are included below. These state laws endure important so that LGBTQ people are protected against discrimination at every level of government, and because they are often passed alongside additional protections not yet enshrined in federal law, such as protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing and public places.  Some cities and counties also have such protections, and those are tracked here

  • Federal commandment prohibits employment discrimination based on s

    Nondiscrimination Laws

    Housing nondiscrimination laws protect LGBTQ people from being unfairly evicted, denied housing, or refused the ability to rent or buy housing on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This map shows state housing nondiscrimination laws that explicitly enumerate sexual orientation and/or gender culture as protected classes, as well as states that explicitly interpret existing sex protections to include sexual orientation and/or gender individuality.  Additionally, in states without state protections, municipalities may provide local-level nondiscrimination protections. See our maps following local-level nondiscrimination ordinances here

    Other rights may exist or be recognized where you live; this map is not intended as legal counsel or an indication of your rights. If you have experienced discrimination, contact Lambda Legal's Help Desk or otherwise seek legal advice.

    • State rule explicitly prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (22 states , 1 territory + D.C.)

    • State explicitly interprets existing prohibition on sex discrimination

      Supreme Court Says Firing Workers Because They Are LGBTQ Is Unlawful Discrimination

      Back to News & Commentary

      This triumph is important, but the only way to get comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people is to pass the Equality Act.

      James Esseks,
      Co-Director,
      ACLU LGBTQ & HIV Rights Project

      June 15, 2020

      In a landmark win for LGBTQ people, the Supreme Court today dominated that firing employees because of their sexual orientation or gender identity is sex discrimination that violates federal commandment. Today’s decision clarifies for the first time that LGBTQ people are protected from employment discrimination from coast to coast, including in states and cities that have no express protection for LGBTQ people in their own laws.  

      While this ruling is a groundbreaking advance for LGBTQ people, there are still significant gaps in federal civil rights law that Congress must fill by passing the Equality Act. 

      Today’s decision came in three cases raising connected issues. Harris Funeral Homes, Inc. v. EEOC and Aimee Stephens, involved Aimee Stephens, who worked for six years as a funeral director at a funeral home in Detroit. H

      how many states can you be fired for being lgbtq

      State Equality Index 2024

      Skip to Content

      Cookies in use

      The Human Rights Campaign uses cookies to improve your site experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies. To absorb more, please browse our Privacy Policy.

      The Human Rights Campaign State Equality Index (SEI) is a comprehensive state-by-state report that provides a review of statewide laws and policies that modify LGBTQ+ people and their families.

      The SEI rates all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. in six areas of rule and assigns the states to one of four separate categories.

      Check your state's scorecard by texting SEI to 472472 from your mobile phone. (msg & data rates may apply. Text Halt to quit, Aide for info.)

      Articulate Categories

      In these states, advocates center on raising back for basic Diverse equality, such as non-discrimination protections in employment, housing and public accommodations. These states are most likely to hold religious refusal or other anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Advocates often further LGBTQ equality by focusing on municipal protections for Gay people or rival negative legislation that targets the Gay community.

      States in this category include:

      Ala

      On August 23rd, 15 states filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court asking them to dictate against three individuals who were fired for creature LGBTQ. The three cases include the first trans person civil rights case to be heard by the high court on October 8th.

      Officials in Texas, Nebraska, and Tennessee led the pro-discrimination effort. They successfully added the following 12 additional state officials to the brief attacking LGBTQ rights: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Kentucky.

      These officials promoting government-sanctioned discrimination have shown that they are out-of-touch with the majority of Americans who support the notion that no one should be fired because of who they are. Across lines of party, demographics, and geography, Americans broadly support nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people, according to a recently released poll.

      The employees in these cases, including ACLU clients Aimee Stephens who was fired for being transgender and Don Zarda who was fired for being male lover, have argued that discrimination against LGBTQ people is unlawful sex discrimination. A number of federal a