As a second Trump administration approaches, we’re running out of time to confirm as many federal judges as possible to provide a check on his presidential power and curb his stated policy priorities.
There are 40 federal judicial vacancies and 16 nominations before the Senate right now—as our civil rights hang in the balance, take action now!
NWLC filed an amicus brief in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that requests full panel review of a case and argue that sexual orientation is protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The brief was joined by 14 other organizations.
The brief supports the employee in Zarda v. Altitude Express. Donald Zarda, a sky diving instructor who is now deceased, alleged he was fired after he disclosed his sexual orientation to a female customer, whose boyfriend then complained to the employer.
The request for full panel review asks the Second Circuit to reconsider its outdated decision from 2000 in Simonton v. Runyon, where it held that harassment on the basis of sexual orientation is not sex-based discrimination prohibited by Title VII.
UPDATE 7/3/19: The Zarda case is now pending before the Supreme Court along with two other cases regarding LGBTQ rights under Title VII. NWLC led over 35 women’s rights groups to file an amicus brief in these matters and you can find here.
