"President Barack Obama appointed every commissioner who joined the ruling."

[YoungDemCA]

On Thursday, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that sexual orientation discrimination is already illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As BuzzFeed's Chris Geidner reports, the EEOC's groundbreaking decision effectively declares that employment discrimination against gay, lesbian, and bisexual workers is unlawful in all 50 states. The commission already found that Title VII bars discrimination on the basis of gender identity, protecting trans employees.

For now, the EEOC's decision applies only to federal employees' claims. But the EEOC represents private employees, as well, and helps employers and employees settle discrimination claims without a lawsuit. Last year, the EEOC resolved nearly half its cases through this process. And under the new guidelines, all sexual orientation discrimination will be considered illegal, empowering gay private employees to lodge discrimination complaints. Until the Supreme Court weighs in, lower courts may choose to accept or reject the EEOC's reading of Title VII. But the commission's rulings are respected by the judiciary, and could tip more courts to rule that sexual orientation discrimination is, indeed, already forbidden in the United States.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2015/07/16/sexual_orientation_discrimination_at_work_eeoc_says_it_s_illegal_under_federal.html?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_content=55a84ee404d3014adb000001&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook

Update, July 17: After the decision was released, an EEOC spokesperson announced that it was decided by a 3-2 vote. It was not unanimous—though the decision itself notes no objections.

Not bad for a "POS used car salesman."

[randys1]

1. Nah, President Superman has to be able to fly before he will get credit

for the fact that he is maybe the most productive of all time given the obstruction.

[steve2470]

6. +1 nt

[Kber]

2. This is a big deal!

and very good news - thanks for posting.

[Gothmog]

3. This is a big deal

This will make it easier to sue for LGBT plaintiffs

[bvf]

4. I know it's hackneyed

but Chess.

[bluestateguy]

5. Not as good as EDNA, but a major step in the right direction

Obama, as it turned it, has been the fierce advocate for LGBT equality that he pledged.

[Hekate]

7. KnR

[Cha]

8. Thank you for this, YoungDemCA! that "POS used car salesman" was some of the biggest

baloney ever floated on DU.. that and "the Trojan horse" bamboozle.



EEOC Rules Workplace Sexual Orientation Discrimination Already Illegal Under Federal Law

[treestar]

9. That's great!

the deference to the agency will infect the courts too.