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AFGE Applauds Supreme Court Ruling Affirming Job Protections for LGBTQ+ Workers

June 22, 2020

Categories: Workers Rights, LGBT, The Insider

AFGE hails a landmark Supreme Court ruling that affirms employees cannot be fired for their gender or sexual orientation.  

In a 6 to 3 decision, the Supreme Court June 15 ruled that employers cannot fire employees based on their sexual orientation or gender identity because it would be a violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  

“This 6-3 opinion is a huge win for the LGBTQ+ community and ensures that workers never again have to worry about losing their jobs just because of their gender or who they love,” said AFGE National Vice President for Women and Fair Practices Jeremy Lannan. “Finally, workers no longer have to worry about losing their income for proudly and comfortably being who they are at work.” 

AFGE has been a proud, ongoing advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, with a department dedicated to promoting the civil and human rights of federal and D.C. government workers.  

“We are proud of our union’s ongoing commitment to the fight for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community, and we will continue our efforts to ensure equal protections for all workers,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley.  

“We hope this victory will serve as a launching pad for efforts to secure equal protections and access for the LGBTQ+ community across this nation,” added Lannan, who was elected to lead the WFP departments in August 2018, becoming the first openly gay federal employee elected to one of the union’s three national leadership positions.  

AFGE LGBTQ trailblazers 

One day after the historic Supreme Court ruling affirming that employees cannot be fired for their gender or sexual orientation, and in recognition of Pride Month, AFGE hosted a virtual panel featuring union members and leaders who identify as LGBTQ+. 

The Facebook Live discussion, “The Many Faces of Pride: Being LGBTQ in the Workplace,” was hosted by AFGE’s Women’s and Fair Practices Departments. Leading the discussion was Lannan, who was elected to lead the WFP departments in August 2018, becoming the first openly gay federal employee elected to one of the union’s three national leadership positions. 

“We have individuals who are trailblazers and have set the trail on fire for us to come behind them,” Lannan said. “We are the many faces of the Pride, and if we keep liven our hearts, we can definitely continue to drive out hatred in this country and demand justice because we will not ask for permission – we will demand the inclusion.” 

Also participating on the panel were 

• Clara Czerwionka, legislative political coordinator for AFGE Local 2547, Iowa City, Iowa 
• Shekina Givens, president of AFGE Local 554, Atlanta, Ga. 
• Virginia “Ginger” Hemingway, retired from AFGE Local 2433, Palm Springs, Calif. 
• Tamara Lusardi, member of AFGE Local 1858, Huntsville, Ala. 
• Francis Nichols III, vice president of AFGE Local 1456, Washington D.C. 

You can watch the discussion any time on AFGE’s Facebook page.