Maryland High Court Guidance Sought on Sexual Orientation Bias

The Maryland Supreme Court has been asked whether the state’s fair employment and equal pay laws apply to a sexual orientation discrimination suit brought after Catholic Relief Services stopped providing medical insurance for a male employee’s husband.

John Doe is a “gay, cisgender man married to another man.” When he applied for a data analyst position with CRS, he was told that he could enroll his husband in its benefits system.

Although CRS initially covered Doe’s husband, it eventually dropped him saying same-sex marriage is contrary to Catholic values. Doe sued CRS under both federal and state law.

CRS violated ...