San Antonio, June 15, 2020 – IDRA applauds the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

“This is a historic moment for LGBTQ educators who have long feared persecution,” said IDRA President & CEO Celina Moreno. “It is also particularly significant for LGBTQ people of color, who are most likely to be fired because of their gender identity or sexual orientation.”

While today’s ruling applies to the workplace, it is also momentous for LGBTQ students who often face attacks and discrimination daily in our schools. Across the country, 85% of LGBTQ students report facing verbal harassment, more than one in four are physically harassed at school, and half are threatened by their classmates.

“Today’s ruling provides hope that the Supreme Court could soon apply a similar interpretation to Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and must also protect students from discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation,” Moreno said. “Schools should be safe places for teachers to teach and students to learn, free from bias and discrimination.”

IDRA affirms the rights of students to:

  • Be called by the pronouns with which they identify,
  • Not be disciplined differently because they identify or are perceived as LGBTQ,
  • Dress according to their gender identity,
  • Use the locker room or restroom that aligns with their gender identity,
  • Be free from bullying and harassment, and
  • Enjoy equal educational opportunities.

The IDRA EAC-South carries out an important mandate for justice and equity in all our schools, including technical assistance and training for Title IX. From school district administrators in Georgia and Texas to teachers in Virginia, the IDRA EAC-South provides training for school districts to ensure safe and equitable school environments for all students.

Share