Federal law protects people from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, ability, and veteran status.

But there's no federal law specifically barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. That means LGBTQ+ Americans are threatened by unjust firings, evictions, and other discrimination without little - if any - legal recourse.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in its upcoming October session on whether anti-LGBTQ+ employment discrimination is sex discrimination and whether LGBTQ+ workers are protected by the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They will determine whether or not we’re a country that allows people to be fired on the basis of how they identify.

In 2018, the Trump administration rolled back already-limited protections and introduced harmful policies that further marginalized vulnerable populations nationwide. Recently, the Trump administration took one of its most aggressive steps yet to legalize anti-transgender discrimination by telling the Supreme Court that federal law allows firing workers solely for being transgender.

This is a disgusting attack on human rights. If Trump and conservative extremists have their way, LGBTQ+ workers will lose their jobs and their livelihoods thanks to unconscionable bigotry.

Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed the Equality Act, a sweeping bill that would prohibit anti-LGBTQ discrimination in all aspects of public and commercial life, without any religious exemptions. It is now up to the Senate and we demand the Senate pass this bill!

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 clearly offers protections for ALL residents of the U.S. against cruel and discriminatory practices, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that LGBTQ+ people are covered by these protections.