Today is a historic day for LGBTQ people around the country.
Let there be no doubt, today marks a significant win for legal equality. In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held that ‘an employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender defies the law.’ This historic decision says that LGBTQ people are, and should be, protected from employment discrimination under federal law. While we are celebrating today, we also know that our work is not yet finished.
In the midst of COVID-19 and important demonstrations in support of Black lives, we know that our nation has much more to do to dismantle both legal and cultural systemic racism and oppression. We know that critical gaps remain in our state and federal nondiscrimination laws, and the need for the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (MONA) is as important today as it was yesterday. LGBTQ people can still be legally discriminated against in housing including nursing homes and denied vital services such as hospice care, banking, and more
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We will continue to champion the work for vital protections for ALL Missourians until we reach full equality under the law.
Today’s decision is powerful and one to celebrate. However, the full weight of that celebration cannot be felt so long as Black lives, including Black trans lives, still face disproportionate discrimination. Until our laws and our culture remedy systemic racism, our work towards full equality is far from complete.
At a time when so many Missourians are struggling to make ends meet, the Supreme Court’s ruling sends a clear message that discrimination against the LGBTQ community is unacceptable. We need your help to continue our work advocating for the rights of all LGBTQ Missourians.
There are two ways you can champion the work towards equality with us today:
1) Pledge in 2020 to vote for PRIDE with PRIDE to ensure we take this win to the Missouri legislature.
Together, we will continue to push for LGBTQ protections to make Missouri a home where we can all live, raise a family, and work in full equality.
