Which case ruled that LGBTQ+ discrimination is equivalent to sex discrimination under Title VII?

• A. Obergefell v. Hodges
• B. Title IX v. Education Department
• C. Bostock v. Clayton County
• D. United States v. Windsor

Answer: (C)

The case that ruled LGBTQ+ discrimination is equivalent to sex discrimination under Title VII is Bostock v. Clayton County. This landmark decision, issued by the Supreme Court in 2020, determined that an employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender is discriminating based on sex. The Court's interpretation was rooted in the understanding that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity inherently involves treating individuals differently because of their sex, which is specifically prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

This ruling was significant as it expanded the scope of protection against discrimination in the workplace, affirming that all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, are entitled to equal treatment and protections under federal law. It underscored the importance of recognizing the intersectionality of sex and sexual orientation, thereby providing a crucial legal precedent for future cases related to LGBTQ+ rights.