Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP
In this Oct. 8, 2019, file photo, supporters of LGBT rights stage a protest on the street in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 | 2 a.m.
Nevada lawmakers and LGBT activists celebrated Monday's historic U.S. Supreme Court ruling that protects LGBT people from employment discrimination.
The 6-3 decision means federal laws on sex discrimination also apply to LGBT workers.
“As we celebrate Pride Month, it is now enshrined in our country’s laws that all Americans, regardless of who you are or whom you love, are protected from discrimination in the workplace under federal law,” U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev., said in a statement.
The Supreme Court’s decision comes just days after President Donald Trump’s administration ended transgender discrimination protections under the Affordable Care Act.
“The LGBTQIA+ community should not live with the fear that they could be fired or discriminated against at their place of work,” said Annette Magnus, the executive director of Battle Born Progress, a Nevada progressive political nonprofit.
“Coming on the heels of Trump’s horrific executive rule allowing discrimination in matters of health care, the (court) sent a clear message today that federal law does apply to cases in which LGBTQIA+ Americans are fired simply for who they are and may sue to recoup damages," she said.
On Twitter, U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., called the court’s decision historic and said, “No one should have to fear losing their job because of who they are. Ever.”
U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., said via Twitter that firing a person over “who they are or whom they love was always cruel. Now it's also illegal.”
In a statement, U.S. Sen Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said the ruling “reaffirms what we know to be true: In America, no one should be denied dignity in the workplace because of who they are or who they love. While I’m pleased by the court’s decision to correct a longstanding injustice, our work has just begun.”
She said she would continue to work to pass the Equality Act, which would further extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ individuals.
U.S. Rep. Susie Lee, D-Nev., also stressing the need to pass the Equality Act and called the Supreme Court decision “a great step forward for our country.”
André C. Wade, state director of Silver State Equality, a Nevada LGBTQ civil rights organization, said despite today’s watershed ruling, it’s important to remain vigilant.
“Today, we celebrate this important milestone,” he said in a statement. “Tomorrow, the work continues.”
Nevada has barred workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation since 1999 and in 2011 extended those protections to include gender identity.
