In a decision last week, a federal judge based out of Houston said discrimination based on sex also applies to gender identity and sexual orientation when it comes to federal employment.
This all came up after a woman in Borger, Texas, said she wasn’t hired because she was transgender.
Lubbock Pride, a local LGBTQ group, said this is a huge step in the right direction for their community.
“It’s going to give job security to those in the LGBTQ community. I won’t have to worry that I could lose my job if I am found out in public with my partner,” Shannon McIntire, Lubbock Pride president, said.
McIntire said it is important for the LGBTQ community to be protected, too.
“Texas is really behind when it comes to it. We’re starting to change a little bit. We need to be treated as humans,” McIntire said.
There is no statewide law banning anti-LGBTQ discrimination, but McIntire said there is hope when it comes to larger companies.
“I think a lot of businesses are already going in that way. They don’t care as long as they have a good employee,” McIntire said.
