ABOVE: Former Vice President Joe Biden, Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee in the November U.S. presidential election, called Monday’s Supreme Court ruling confirming LGBTQ people are protected from employment discrimination under federal law, “a momentous step forward for our country.”
Biden was referring to the high court’s historic 6-3 ruling that the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 includes gay, bisexual, and transgender people in its prohibition against employment discrimination based on someone’s gender or sex.
“Before today, in more than half of states, LGBTQ+ people could get married one day and be fired from their job the next day under state law, simply because of who they are or who they love,” Biden said in his statement.
“Today, by affirming that sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Supreme Court has confirmed the simple but profoundly American idea that every human being should be treated with respect and dignity.” Biden said. “That everyone should be able to live openly, proudly, as their true selves without fear,” he said.
“This decision is another step in our march towards equality for all,” Biden’s statement continues. “And while we celebrate this victory today, we know that our work is not yet done. As President, I look forward to signing into law the Equality Act, protecting the civil rights of LGBTQ+ Americans, and championing equal rights for all Americans,” he said. “Happy Pride!”
Biden was referring to the fact that the Equality Act, which the U.S. House of Representatives has passed but which is being blocked in the U.S. Senate, would protect LGBTQ people against forms of discrimination that the Supreme Court’s Title VII ruling on June 15 would not cover, such as discrimination in housing and public accommodations.
