Senate Leader Atkins Applauds SCOTUS Decision Protecting LGBTQ Workers from Unlawful Termination
SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) today released this statement regarding the 6-to-3 U.S. Supreme Court decision that the Title VII Act barring sex discrimination in the workplace also protects LGBTQ workers from being fired on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity:
“The Supreme Court’s ruling on Title VII is momentous, and a long overdue step in advancing protections for LGBTQ employees in the workplace. In California, one of the first laws I wrote clarified the definition of gender in certain anti-discrimination laws so that ‘gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ are included in references to gender. That law has provided additional protections for California’s LGBTQ workers since 2012. The Supreme Court’s holding affirms that protection throughout our country. When it comes to our workplaces and communities, discrimination need not apply.”
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Toni G. Atkins is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Having previously served as Speaker of the California Assembly, she began her tenure in the Senate in 2016. As Senator for District 39, she represents the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins