The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decided that employers cannot fire employees on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. Conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the original opinion. His opinion was supported by fellow conservative, Chief Justice John Roberts as well as all of the liberal justices.
People of LGBTQ+ status and many of their allies celebrated their decision. They say that there is no place for prejudice in the United States. Some even call this the new civil rights movement. Others, however, disagree and say that the decision could cause more harm than good.
Samuel Alito, one of the opposing conservative justices, outlined the potential pitfalls of the Supreme Court decision in his dissent. The core message he got across was that there will be a wave of lawsuits against religious organizations. If, and when, religious organizations are ruled against by lower courts who cite the high court’s decision, then their rights will be in jeopardy.
Taking rights away from someone else should not be the avenue upon rights to another are delivered. Freedom should exist without tyranny. Lawsuits from low courts will be litigious in nature. And some of the more nuanced issues not outlined directly in the recent SCOTUS decision will take a very long time to make their way through low courts to reach high court for a final decision.
SOURCES:
GOP backs Gorsuch’s LGBTQ decision after conservative blowback – POLITICO
Workers can’t be fired for being gay or transgender, Supreme Court rules | TheHill
Samuel Alito Warns SCOTUS Decision Is a Threat to Religious Liberty | National Review
Carrie Severino: SCOTUS LGBT Decision Will ‘Create a Tsunami of New Litigation’ Against Religious Groups
Fired after joining a gay softball league, Gerald Bostock wins landmark Supreme Court case | The Seattle Times
