EEOC Kroger Suit Shows Rift at Border of Religious Rights, Bias

An EEOC religious discrimination lawsuit against Kroger Co. has sparked internal and external debate over whether religion can, or should, be used as a tool by the agency to potentially impinge upon the rights of LGBT workers, and those who belong to other legally protected categories.

Two grocery workers claimed that wearing an apron embroidered with a small multi-colored heart—part of the Kroger uniform—violated their religious belief that homosexuality is a sin. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued on their behalf in September.

That Arkansas federal court filing sparked an intra-agency debate over whether the commission was advocating intolerance ...