Everyone in Minnesota and the rest of the country is entitled to work for an employer who treats them fairly. Even though some states have laws that provide extra protections for employees who may be subject to gender discrimination or sexual orientation discrimination, there are protections at the federal level that may help victims of sexual orientation discrimination.
When a Catholic school music teacher and band director was fired, he claimed it was because he had announced on Facebook his plans to marry another man in Minnesota this summer. Although the music teacher alleges that church and school officials were aware of his homosexuality when they hired him, some leaders apparently did not approve of his announcement. However, according to the music teacher, the decision to fire him came from the Archbishop of Savannah, not from school officials. It is unknown whether some students were able to see the teacher’s announcement online.
Even though the music teacher says he has no plans to return to his position at the Catholic academy in Georgia, he has filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the school. He argues that if he were a woman, the announcement of his wedding plans would not have led to his firing. Although plaintiffs have won similar cases in the past, because the employer in this case is a religious institution, the case may prove more complicated.
Discrimination in the workplace can make any job unpleasant. Any employee who has been discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability may be able to file a lawsuit against an employer. In these circumstances, it may be best to talk with an attorney who specializes in employment law as soon as possible.
Source: Edge Boston, “Gay Teacher Fired for Engagement Sues Catholic School,” Jason St. Amand, July 11, 2014