2016 ruling

The 2016 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court upheld that employers cannot be sued for damages if they fire or discriminate against employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity, under existing anti-discrimination laws. The Court decided that laws like Title VII, which prohibit workplace discrimination, should be interpreted to include protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. This means companies must treat employees equally regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. The decision clarifies that discrimination based on these identities is illegal in employment, reinforcing workplace rights for LGBTQ+ individuals across the country.