LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada sent a statement to the media regarding the historic Supreme Court ruling Monday, ruling LGBTQ+ employees are protected under federal employment discrimination laws.
RELATED: Supreme Court rules that civil rights laws protect LGBTQ employees from discrimination
Read the full statement below:
Today, the highest court in the land delivered a landmark ruling in favor of civil rights for all. In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that existing civil rights laws apply to LGBTQ individuals in the workplace.
The ruling comes only three days after the Trump Administration chose to roll back healthcare protections for LGBTQ individuals during Pride Month and on the anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida where 49 individuals were murdered in a gay nightclub.
“Even as the Executive Branch works to undermine LGBTQ rights, our community continues to fight for equality. The SCOTUS ruling today restores faith in the American government’s system of checks and balances,” said Dr. John Waldron, CEO of The LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada.
Today’s ruling tested the resolve of the court. Following President Trump's conservative appointments of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh, there has been broad speculation on how the court would rule on liberal issues. The 6-3 opinion was written by Justice Gorsuch and Chief Justice John Roberts.
Conservative Justice Kavanaugh acknowledged the progress the LGBTQ community has made in his dissent. “They [the LGBTQ community] have advanced powerful policy arguments and can take pride in today's result. Under the Constitution's separation of powers, however, I believe that it was Congress's role, not this Court's, to amend Title VII. I therefore must respectfully dissent from the Court's judgment," Kavanaugh wrote.
The ruling specifically addresses workplace discrimination and will be the foundation of current and future discrimination cases.
Five years ago, this court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. Today they ruled in favor of workplace rights. In both cases, SCOTUS ruled on interpretation of the law and holds the position that it is the role of Congress to legislate change.
The LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada celebrates this victory and remains committed to our community.
