“Justice Takes a Bold Step Forward in its Rocky Climb”

LGBTQI Catholic Group DignityUSA Responds to Supreme Court Decision Protecting LGBTQI Workers

 

June 15, 2020.  DignityUSA joins millions across the country in celebrating today’s Supreme Court decision that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees are protected from discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As an organization of Catholics that has been working for justice, equality, and full inclusion of LGBTQI people in our church and society for more than fifty years, DignityUSA sees this decision as an important milestone in bringing equity to workplaces.

“Today, justice has taken a bold step forward in what has been a rocky climb,” said Marianne Duddy-Burke, DignityUSA’s Executive Director. “Gay, lesbian and transgender workers are now legally protected from sex discrimination in employment no matter where they live in the U.S. This is a critical recognition of the bias our community has faced for too long and will strengthen our ability to support ourselves and our families.”

Duddy-Burke continued, “This decision is particularly important for transgender people, who have long faced extreme levels of employment discrimination. It is especially welcome coming just days after President Trump ended protections against health care discrimination directed against this community. We hope and pray that this ruling will be seen as ensuring equal protection in all areas of life.

“As Catholics, we also hope that the Supreme Court’s ruling will extend to faith-based employers, particularly those that receive public funding for their non-religious activities. Schools, health care organizations, and social service providers affiliated with a number of faith groups have been among the most discriminatory employers for decades, causing tremendous suffering for thousands of individuals, families, and communities. We hope they will be held to the same standards of justice as other employers,” said Duddy-Burke.

“Our country’s struggles around justice issues are front and center these days, especially around racial inequality,” noted Duddy-Burke. “Even as we celebrate this ruling that benefits the LGBTQI community, we note there is still much work to be done until we all reach the mountain top, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity. This is but one milestone on the journey. Let us mark this victory with gratitude and pride, and then return to the work of building a society where all experience justice and equality.”

 

DignityUSA is the world’s largest membership organization of Catholics committed to justice, equality and full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and transgender people in our church and society. Founded in 1969, it is also a founding member of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics.