Equality in the Workplace: Whose Rights are Right?

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“From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor’s rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own.”(Schurz). This quote by Carl Schurz, who died in 1906, still rings true for today’s battle of protection of sexual identity and orientation in the workplace. (American). A report on “discrimination and its effects” shows that 27% of LGB employees were harassed at work while 78% of transgender people reported some type of employment related harassment.(Sears and Mallory). The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees have been fighting for various forms of equality for years. The “religious right” have been fighting against those same rights for just as long based on their strongly held religious beliefs.(Goldberg). The tenant of performance being the factor for equal employment is paramount to equality in the workplace. Although some believe that LGBT rights infringe on their religious freedoms, federal law should protect sexual orientation in the workplace because discrimination is unconstitutional and employment should be based on performance.
In 1969 homosexual acts were illegal in New York and police raids were common in the gay community; one raid in particular known as the “Stonewall raid” was a turning point for the LGBT community as activist began standing up for the rights of this segment of the population. (Filisko). Forty-five years later, the rights of LGBT individuals are still under scrutiny. Individuals and groups with firmly held religious beliefs battle against the rights of the LGBT community. One primary stance of the religious and conservative is that they should not be subjected to these alternative lifestyles that offend their religio...

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Tabo, Tamara. “The ENDA Title VII as we Know It: Why House Republicans Should Pass The
Employment Non-Discrimination act”. Abovethelaw.com. Breaking Media, Inc. 10 Apr. 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2014. http://abovethelaw.com/2014/04/the-enda-title-vii-as-we-know-it-why-house-republicans-should-pass-the-employment-non-discrimination-act/
Taylor, Gary and Hawley, Helen. “Freedom of Religion in America.” Contemporary Review
282.1649 (June 2003): 344-350. ProQuest. Web. 12 Apr. 2014 . Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/204947167?accountid=38769 “Tolerance.” Oxford Dictionary of Current English. 4th ed. 2006. Print.
Wheeler, Ester and Barkley, Chris. “Stand By Your Gay Colleagues”. The Lawyer(online).
Centaur Communications, Ltd. London, UK. 9 Sept. 2013.Web. 11. Apr. 2014. http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.troy.edu/docview/1430916866?accountid=38769

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