U.S. Supreme Court Refuse to Hear Gay Worker Protections Appeal

WASHINGTON, D.C — In a shock to many gay activists, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday Dec. 11, refused to hear the appeal of Jameka Evans, the Georgia security guard who said she was harassed and forced from her employment simply because she is a lesbian.

By doing this action, the Supreme Court managed to side step the opportunity to finally put an end to and decide whether or not a federal law that bans gender-based bias also outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation.

By refusing to hear Evans appeal which had argued that workplace sexual orientation discrimination violates Title VII of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. Workplace protections is one of the top priorities for LGBTQ advocates who are simply trying to get equal protection rights under the law as heterosexuals enjoy and take for granted.

Jameka Evans attorney Gregory Nevins of Lambda Legal, an LGBT legal advocacy group representing that took the case of Evans, said that it was unfortunate the court turned away the case. “The vast majority of Americans believe that LGBT people should be treated equally in the workplace,” said Nevins.

Evans case hinged on the argument that is being litigated in several lawsuits currently making its way through the courts – whether or not Title VII, which bans employment discrimination based on sex, also outlaws bias based on sexual orientation. Title VII also bars employment discrimination based on race, color, religion and national origin.

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