Author: unitedfamilies

The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday in favor of a straight woman who sued her employer for discrimination when she was denied promotion and demoted because of her sexual orientation. Ames filed a lawsuit against the agency under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sex, saying she was denied the employment opportunities because she is straight. Both the District Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held Ames failed to meet a heightened evidentiary standard necessary to claim discrimination. Because she is part of the majority group, both courts held Ames would have to provide evidence of background circumstances showing her employer had exhibited a pattern of discrimination against members of majority groups. A minority-group plaintiff would not have to face the same hurdle.