Gay Discrimination Lawyers Camden County

Fighting Discrimination Against Gay Employees in Camden County

Despite improvements in societal acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in recent years, gay discrimination in the workplace is still a prevalent problem in Camden County. According to Catalyst, 22% of LGBT Americans have not been paid equally or promoted at the same rate as their peers, almost half (46%) are closeted in the workplace, and over half (53%) have have heard gay jokes at work.

Camden County Community

Camden County is located in the southwestern portion of New Jersey. As the state’s eighth-largest county, Camden County has a little over 500,000 residents. Camden County is a popular destination with locations such as the Cherry Hill Mall and Rutgers University – Camden campus. With these popular destinations, there are many businesses and employees in Camden County. These employees may experience gay discrimination at their workplace. We want any employees in the county to feel protected and safe in their place of work. We also want to ensure employers have effective policies to protect their employees from gay discrimination.

Fortunately, gay employees are now explicitly protected under the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and it is illegal to for an employer to fire an employee because they are gay. Additionally, Title VII prohibits gender discrimination, which the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has interpreted to include sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. Many states, including New Jersey, have also enacted state laws to specifically address these types of employment discrimination. With offices in Red Bank, NJ and Marlton, NJ the employment discrimination lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. are dedicated to fighting for the rights of the gay community.

Camden County Law And Discrimination Against Gay Employees in the Workplace

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) prohibits discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation. The NJLAD prohibits discrimination based on, among other traits:

• Sex
• Familial status
• Marital status
• Domestic Partnership or civil union status
• Affectional or sexual orientation
• Gender identity or expression
• Genetic information
• AIDS or HIV status

Despite this state law, many gay individuals are still unfortunately subject to workplace discrimination, including harassment, wrongful termination and retaliation. According to American Progress, between 15% and 43% of gay people have experienced some form of harassment in the workplace. Gay individuals who have experienced such workplace discrimination may have been:

• Demoted, unfairly disciplined, or fired because they are gay.
• Denied promotions or other advancement opportunities based on their sexuality.
• Denied access to facilities or resources in the workplace due to their sexuality.
• Given differential treatment or compensation because of their sexual orientation.
• Subject to inappropriate jokes, remarks, stereotyping, or other behavior that contributes to a hostile work environment.
• Discriminated based on gender expression, such as their clothing, manner of speaking or mannerisms.
• Retaliated against for coming out regarding their gender identity.
• Subject to sexual harassment based on their sexual orientation.

At McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C., our attorneys believe that all employees are entitled to a workplace that is free from discrimination. While LGBT rights have expanded in the past few years, there is still much to be accomplished. Our NJ gay discrimination lawyers fight to obtain maximum compensation for those affected by workplace discrimination.

Gay Discrimination and the June 2020 Supreme Court Decision

In a historic 6-3 decision on June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that an employee cannot be fired for being gay or transgender under federal law (Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, No. 17-1618 (S. Ct. June 15, 2020)[1]). This case was brought by three workers in Georgia who claimed that they were fired from their jobs because they were gay or transgender. By focusing on the plain text of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Court determined that “it is impossible to discriminate against a person for being homosexual or transgender without discriminating against that individual based on sex.” For example, if an employer fires a man who is married to a man, but would not fire a woman who is married to a man, they are taking action because of gender.

While workers in roughly half the country had previously been protected by local laws that prevented gay discrimination, this was the first time employers were barred from firing gay employees on a federal level. This development is a milestone for the gay community and is sure to have wide-ranging effects on sexual orientation discrimination cases in Camden County and across the country.

Filing A Complaint for Gay Discrimination

Camden County employees who have experienced workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation may file a complaint in the New Jersey Superior Court or with the Division of Civil Rights (DCR), a New Jersey state agency. Filing with DCR is not required and an employee may sue her employer directly in Superior Court. Before filing a complaint, employees who feel they have been the victim of gay discrimination should contact McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. first to discuss your rights and various options.

How Camden County Employers Can Prevent Discrimination in the Workplace

Employers should be aware of applicable federal and state laws to avoid sexual orientation or gender identity-based discrimination claims. It is the responsibility of an
employer to take proactive measures to prevent, investigate, address, and defend any possible claims of gay discrimination. If it is determined that unlawful discrimination occurred, companies and their administrators may be subject to statutory penalties or ordered to take affirmative action to remedy the discrimination.

To avoid legal penalties and ensure that you are taking appropriate steps to prevent and correct unlawful workplace discrimination, it is imperative to contact a knowledgeable attorney who can provide sound advice regarding your responsibilities under employment law.

Remedies And Penalties for Discrimination Against Gay Employees in Camden County

If you have been the victim of gay discrimination in the workplace, you may be entitled to relief including reinstatement, hiring, upgrading, back pay and damages for pain and humiliation. The Camden County LGBT discrimination lawyers at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. are experienced in exploring all legal options for gay discrimination claims. Contact our Red Bank or Marlton office today to discuss your case, and our law firm will help you every step of the way in seeking justice for unlawful gay discrimination in the workplace.