Sexual Orientation Discrimination

Employee Rights Lawyers in Michigan

Nacht & Associates P.C.

Neither state or federal law currently protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, this does not mean that legal protections do not exist. In some cases, municipal ordinances or employment policies may extend discrimination protections to this area. Moreover, employment laws that have protected other against sex stereotyping equally apply to gay, lesbian, or bisexual employees. This means that discrimination based on stereotypes about how men and women should act or look is illegal sex discrimination.

Sex discrimination laws protect employees when they have fired or discriminated against because they are "not manly enough," "not feminine enough," or simply "don't fit in" based on preconceived sexual stereotypes.

If you are a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transsexual employee, you should know that there are laws that protect you. Our lawyers are dedicated allies that will fight for the civil rights and employment rights of all employees regardless of sexual orientation.

NEWSFLASH: (11/03/09) Kalamazoo joins other Michigan cities in passing Non-Discrimination Ordinance!

Congratulations to Kalamazoo on the passage of Ordinance 1856 which prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation. With passage of 1856, Kalamazoo joins nearly 20 other Michigan municipalities, such as Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Ferndale, East Lansing, and Grand Rapids, that have passed non-discrimination ordinances that outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. It ensures that LGBT people cannot be fired, denied housing or otherwise discriminated against in the City of Kalamazoo.

Non-discrimination ordinances vary widely in the available enforcement mechanism. In Kalamazoo, the ordinance is enforced through a complaint to the City Manager. In other cities such as Ann Arbor, the ordinance allows a victim of discrimination to file on their own behalf in court.

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For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us. From offices in Ann Arbor, the attorneys of Nacht & Associates, P.C. serve communities throughout the state of Michigan.