Lesson 11 Sexual Orientation

Discrimination based on employment sexual orientation

Unfair treatment in the workplace due to an individual's sexual orientation.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

A federal law that prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Ninth Circuit

A federal court circuit that covers several Western states and territories, known for its rulings on civil rights issues.

DeSantis v. Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co. (1979)

A case where the Ninth Circuit ruled that Title VII does not prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Bostock v. Clayton County

A 2020 Supreme Court case that decided whether Title VII protections extend to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Disparate impact

A legal theory that argues that a policy can be discriminatory even if it does not explicitly target a particular group.

Sex-plus discrimination

A legal concept where discrimination occurs based on a combination of sex and another characteristic, such as age or sexual orientation.

Majority opinion

The official statement of the majority of justices in a case, outlining the rationale for their decision.

Dissenting opinion

The statement of justices who disagree with the majority ruling, articulating their differing views.

Sex reassignment surgery

Surgical procedures that transgender individuals may undergo to align their physical appearance with their gender identity.

Causation standard in Title VII

The requirement that an employee must demonstrate that their sex was a determining factor in an employer's adverse decision.

Justice Alito's dissent

A critique from Justice Alito regarding the interpretation of sex in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Sexual orientation discrimination

Unfair treatment based on an individual's sexual orientation, including bias against LGBTQ+ individuals.

Plaintiffs

Individuals who bring a lawsuit against another party in a court of law.

Discrimination based on gender identity

Unfair treatment in the workplace due to an individual's gender identity.

Federal appellate court

A court that hears appeals from lower courts and has jurisdiction over specific geographical areas.

Employers' discriminatory practices

Actions taken by employers that unfairly disadvantage employees based on protected characteristics.

Supreme Court

The highest federal court in the United States, which has the ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all federal and state court cases.