For Immediate Release
June 15, 2020

Contact: Zach Eisenstein
Phone: (202) 265-2405 ext 3330
zeisenstein@siecus.org

(Washington, DC) — Today, the Supreme Court of the United States issued their opinion on three cases, Altitude Express v. Zarda, Bostock v. Clayton County, GA, and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC, ruling that Title VII employment discrimination laws protect LGBTQ+ workers. Jennifer Driver, SIECUS’ Vice President of Policy & Strategic Partnerships, released the following statement in response:

“SIECUS is relieved by today’s decision from the Supreme Court. Coming off the heels of the Trump administration’s despicable attack on LGBTQ+ people’s health care last week, today’s outcome is a much needed piece of good news during Pride Month. The justices’ decision also reflects the attitudes of the overwhelming majority of Americans who support LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protections afforded by our legal system. 

Young people make up the largest demographic of LGBTQ+ identities in the U.S. As an organization dedicated to advancing inclusion and affirmation for these youth, we know that today’s decision sends them a clear message that says, ‘Your rights are worth protecting.’

And while we are incredibly grateful for today’s outcome, we still have work to do to advance protections for all members of our LGBTQ+ community. It is not lost on us that this decision was made at a time when nationwide protests continue to demand justice for the senseless murders of Black people and, in particular, Black transgender people. 

For Dominique ‘Rem’Mie’ Fells, Riah Milton, Tony McDade, Nina Pop, and the many other Black transgender lives taken, we will keep fighting. 

Today’s decision would not have been possible without the Black and Brown transgender folks who have been fighting for, dying for, and leading efforts to advance LGBTQ+ equality throughout history. For them, we will honor this victory by continuing to fight for much more than employment discrimination protections. We will fight to address the racist systems and institutions that prevent Black LGBTQ+ Americans from receiving the justice they deserve.

And, as always, SIECUS will continue working to advance policies at the federal, state, and local levels that allow LGBTQ+ people to not only survive, but thrive.”

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SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change has served as the national voice for sex education for 55 years, asserting that sexuality is a fundamental part of being human, one worthy of dignity and respect. Through policy, advocacy, education, and strategic communications efforts, SIECUS advances sex education as a vehicle for social change—working toward a world where all people can access and enjoy sexual and reproductive freedom as they define it for themselves.