The Supreme Court has delivered a unanimous decision in favor of an Ohio woman, Marlean Ames, who alleged she faced workplace discrimination due to her heterosexuality. This ruling overturns a previous decision by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, which had supported Ames’ employer, the Ohio Department of Youth Services, in applying a higher standard for proving discrimination against individuals who are part of the majority demographic groups, such as being white and heterosexual.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson highlighted in the court’s opinion that Congress did not intend for special restrictions to be placed on discrimination claims brought by majority-group plaintiffs. She emphasized that such an approach contradicts Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sexual discrimination in the workplace.
Ames claimed that she was passed over for a promotion and subsequently demoted, both of which she attributed to her being straight, as those positions were instead awarded to LGBTQ+ individuals. With the Supreme Court’s ruling, Ames will have the opportunity to present her discrimination case again in the lower court, now under a more equitable standard.
This ruling signifies not only a significant victory for Ames but also reinforces the broader principle that all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, should be treated equally under anti-discrimination laws. It serves as a hopeful precedent for those advocating for fair treatment in the workplace, highlighting the court’s commitment to uphold civil rights for everyone.