Over 200 major corporations just declared their support for LGBTQ workers in the Supreme Court.
Earlier this week (2 July), the Human Rights Campaign, several civil rights groups and 203 organisations filed a brief arguing that employees shouldn’t face prejudice or discrimination based on their sexuality or identity.
Disney, Facebook, Apple, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Google, JP Morgan, Microsoft and baseball teams such as Tampa Bay Rays and San Francisco Giants supported the motion. Altogether, these companies represent 7.4 million employees and over $5 trillion in revenue.
They argued that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act – which grants federal protections against discrimination for certain identities – should also include people within the LGBTQ community.
The brief reads: “These businesses… share a common interest in equality because they know that ending discrimination in the workplace is good for business, employees, and the U.S. economy as a whole.
“Amici support the principle that no one should be passed over for a job, paid less, fired, or subjected to harassment or any other form of discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“Amici’s commitment to equality is violated when any employee is treated unequally because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. When workplaces are free from discrimination against LGBT employees, everyone can do their best work, with substantial benefits for both employers and employees.”
Senior Vice President for Programs, Research and Training for the HRC Foundation, Jay Brown, said: “With so much progress on the line, we are grateful that so many major American companies are standing up for the rights and dignity of their LGBTQ employees, family members and customers.”
In the United States, there are 21 states that have laws in place that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, there are 17 states that don’t have workplace protections for LGBTQ people.
Related: Disneyland just made history with their first ever Pride parade.
