<p><strong>&nbsp;LGBTQI Catholic Group DignityUSA Responds to Supreme Court Decision Protecting LGBTQI Workers</strong></p><p></p><p>June 15 2020. &nbsp;DignityUSA joins millions across the country in celebrating todays Supreme Court decision that gay lesbian bisexual and transgender employees are protected from discrimination under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As an organization of Catholics that has been working for justice equality and full inclusion of LGBTQI people in our church and society for more than fifty years DignityUSA sees this decision as an important milestone in bringing equity to workplaces.</p><p>Today justice has taken a bold step forward in what has been a rocky climb said Marianne Duddy-Burke DignityUSAs Executive Director. Gay lesbian and transgender workers are now legally protected from sex discrimination in employment no matter where they live in the U.S. This is a critical recognition of the bias our community has faced for too long and will strengthen our ability to support ourselves and our families.</p><p>Duddy-Burke continued This decision is particularly important for transgender people who have long faced extreme levels of employment discrimination. It is especially welcome coming just days after President Trump ended protections against health care discrimination directed against this community. We hope and pray that this ruling will be seen as ensuring equal protection in all areas of life.</p><p>As Catholics we also hope that the Supreme Courts ruling will extend to faith-based employers particularly those that receive public funding for their non-religious activities. Schools health care organizations and social service providers affiliated with a number of faith groups have been among the most discriminatory employers for decades causing tremendous suffering for thousands of individuals families and communities. We hope they will be held to the same standards of justice as other employers said Duddy-Burke.</p><p>Our countrys struggles around justice issues are front and center these days especially around racial inequality noted Duddy-Burke. Even as we celebrate this ruling that benefits the LGBTQI community we note there is still much work to be done until we all reach the mountain top regardless of race gender sexual orientation or gender identity. This is but one milestone on the journey. Let us mark this victory with gratitude and pride and then return to the work of building a society where all experience justice and equality.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><i>DignityUSA is the worlds largest membership organization of Catholics committed to justice equality and full inclusion of lesbian gay bisexual queer and transgender people in our church and society. Founded in 1969 it is also a founding member of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics. </i></p>