On June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that federal civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender workers.

This landmark ruling extends protections to millions of workers nationwide. “An individual’s homosexuality or transgender status is not relevant to employment decisions,” Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote. “That’s because it is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex.”

Twenty-six states already have state law protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. For the remaining states, the Supreme Court’s ruling ensures LGBTQ workers will now be statutorily protected nationwide.