Justice Dept. Bucks EEOC, Says Sexual Orientation Not Protected

The Trump administration says gay and lesbian workers aren’t protected under existing federal civil rights law. In doing so, the administration struck a different note than a chorus of civil rights groups, a growing number of courts, several state and local lawmakers, and the nation’s top job rights agency.

The Department of Justice stated the position in an amicus brief filed July 26 with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. It said a federal prohibition against sex discrimination in employment doesn’t extend to sexual orientation discrimination (Zarda v. Altitude Express, Inc., 2d Cir., No. 15-03775, amicus brief 7/26/17