Protecting the Rights of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender People in New York
Our state is unusual in that it has been fairly proactive in providing protections for people who are gay. The realization that if people are driven out of their current jobs, certain fields will become primarily or exclusively “gay professions” and will damage the community as a whole has caused the promotion of laws to protect gay people from harassment and discrimination in the workplace. At Ricotta & Marks, P.C., our sexual orientation discrimination lawyers in Queens and Long Island, NY are compassionate and results-focused advocates for LGBTQ employees. You deserve safe, fair conditions in the workplace—and your sexual orientation should never be used as the basis for discrimination, mistreatment, or harassment. If you or your loved one was the victim of sexual orientation discrimination in New York, please call us at 347-464-8694 or contact us online to schedule your free initial appointment.
We Handle the Full Range of Workplace Discrimination Claims
Workplace discrimination claims are notoriously complex. One of the many challenges is that discrimination can be subtle as well as overt. You may have been the victim of sexual orientation discrimination based on outright, straightforward illegal actions by a supervisor or, alternatively, you may have been forced to endure a pervasive, day-after-day hostile work environment that makes it impossible for you to feel comfortable and thrive in the workplace. At Ricotta & Marks, P.C., we handle all types of sexual orientation discrimination claims—from hostile work environments to wrongful terminations.
If you have been passed over more than once for promotion when less qualified, straight people have not, or if you’ve been written up for seemingly minor or nonexistent things, these may be discriminatory behaviors and are actionable. What’s more, if you file a complaint with your human resources department and then are called on the carpet for it by your supervisor, or receive retaliation in some other way, this is also illegal. If you’ve experienced this, it’s time to call a lawyer. Sexual orientation discrimination and retaliation for reporting the mistreatment are both illegal.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination: Know Your Rights Under the Law
In New York, employees have strong protections against sexual orientation discrimination. LGBTQ discrimination in the workplace may be a violation of local, state, and federal law. More specifically, you may have a sexual orientation claim that arises under any of the following:
- New York State Law: Under the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA), employment discrimination is strictly prohibited based on actual or perceived sexual orientation. You should never be treated worse than a heterosexual or heterosexual-presenting employee.
- Local Law: In some jurisdictions, local laws provide additional protection to LGBTQ employees. As an example, Title 8 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York makes sexual orientation a protected class and bars discrimination based on gender identity.
- Federal Law: In the June 2020 case of Bostock v. Clayton County, the Supreme Court of the United States determined that discrimination based on sexual orientation is, by definition, a form of sex-based discrimination. As such, it is unlawful under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The bottom line is that any action against you in the workplace that is motivated by your sexual preference is a reason to call our law firm. Do not assume that you are without rights or that your case is “not enough” to warrant taking legal action. Workplace discrimination based on LGBTQ status is against the law. You always have the right to consult with an experienced sexual orientation discrimination lawyers in Queens and Long Island. We offer a free consultation, so come in, tell us your story and we can tell you whether or not you have a case. We do this for the protection of everyone’s rights. We believe in what we fight for.
How Our Sexual orientation Discrimination Lawyers in Queens, NY Can Help
Our firm has grown a substantial practice in protecting your rights as a gay man, lesbian or transgender person, using state and federal law. We believe that everyone deserves the same rights and protections in the workplace. Period. No one should have to work in an environment that is hostile, where epithets are hurled at you because of your choice of partner, and you are passed over for promotion or written up unnecessarily because your supervisor doesn’t “approve of your lifestyle choice.”When you reach out to our law firm, our New York LGBTQ workplace rights lawyers will:
- Conduct a comprehensive, confidential assessment of your discrimination claim;
- Explain your rights under federal, state, and local labor regulations;
- Gather the information and evidence to support your claim; and
- Devise a legal strategy that is narrowly tailored to fit your specific situation.
Our attorneys will aggressively defend your rights and will take your case all the way to court if that is what is necessary. We understand that your livelihood, your community and your pride are at stake here. The more gay-friendly all workplaces become, the easier it is for everyone to be accepted. The whole situation may feel uncomfortable and embarrassing to you, but know that standing up for your rights will not just help you, but will benefit the community as a whole.
Call Our New York LGBTQ Employment Discrimination Lawyers for Immediate Help
At Ricotta & Marks, P.C., our New York workplace discrimination attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of gay and lesbian employees. If you or your loved one was a victim discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, we are available to help. Contact our law firm at 347-464-8694 to discuss your situation. Initial consultations are strictly confidential. With offices in Queens and Long Island, we represent employees throughout New York City and New York State.