LGBTQIA+ Harassment Lawyers

Gender Identity Discrimination

Federal and state laws protect LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination and harassment. If you believe that you, a family member, or a friend may have been the victim of discrimination or harassment because of gender identity, call the Beverly Hills LGBTQIA+ Harassment Attorneys Helmer Friedman LLP.  Don’t wait – you may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation. Still, you must file a lawsuit before the applicable statute of limitations expires.

Federal Laws

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex, also covers discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender identity or expression, as the U.S. Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020). This means that employers cannot fire, refuse to hire, harass, or otherwise discriminate against transgender employees or applicants because of their gender identity or expression.

  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination and harassment in federally funded education programs or activities, also applies to discrimination and harassment against transgender students, as several federal courts have ruled. This means that schools cannot exclude, harass, or mistreat transgender students because of their gender identity or expression and must respect their right to use facilities and participate in activities consistent with their gender identity.
  • The Fair Housing Act prohibits sex discrimination and harassment in housing. In 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that sex discrimination includes discrimination based on sexual orientation and transgender status. As a result, President Biden directed federal agencies to apply the same interpretation to other laws, including the FHA. HUD will investigate housing discrimination complaints based on sexual orientation and gender identity under the FHA. This protects transgender people from housing discrimination based on their gender identity or expression.
  • The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) passed in 1974, prohibits any form of sex discrimination or harassment in credit transactions. Recently, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) clarified that the prohibition on sex discrimination in ECOA and Regulation B extends to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Based on the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, this clarification was made. Therefore, banks, credit card companies, and other creditors are not allowed to discriminate against or harass transgender borrowers or customers based on their gender identity or expression.

Have you, a friend, or a family member experienced gender discrimination or harassment?

California Laws

California is widely regarded as one of the most progressive states when it comes to protecting and supporting LGBTQIA+ people. The state has enacted a number of laws that prohibit discrimination and harassment based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and HIV status in various areas such as employment, education, housing, public accommodations, health care, insurance, foster care, adoption, and state contracts.

Some examples of California laws that protect LGBTQIA+ people are:

  • The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits employers from discriminating against or harassing employees or applicants based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status. FEHA also requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations for transgender employees who are transitioning or have transitioned.
  • The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act prohibits public schools from discriminating against or harassing students based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The act also requires schools to adopt policies that prevent bullying and harassment of LGBTQIA+ students and to provide counseling and support services for them.
  • The Gender Recognition Act allows individuals to obtain a state-issued identification document that reflects their gender identity without requiring medical proof or a court order. The act also creates a third gender option (“nonbinary”) for those who do not identify as male or female.
  • The California Healthy Youth Act requires public schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education that is inclusive and affirming of LGBTQIA+ students and covers topics such as HIV prevention, consent, healthy relationships, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

In summary, federal and California state laws provide various protections for LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination and harassment in the United States. However, these laws are not always enforced or respected, and many LGBTQIA+ people still face discrimination and harassment in different aspects of their lives. Therefore, it is important for LGBTQIA+ people to know their rights and to seek legal recourse when they are violated. It is also important for allies and advocates to support LGBTQIA+ people in their struggles for equality and justice.

If you believe that you, a family member, or a friend may have been the victim of gender identity discrimination or harassment, call the Beverly Hills LGBTQIA+ Discrimination Attorneys Helmer Friedman LLP at 310-396-7714 today. Don’t wait – you may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation, but a lawsuit must be filed before the applicable statute of limitations expires.

Have you, a friend, or a family member experienced discrimination or harassment?