Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Houston employment lawyers Kalandra Wheeler and Robert J. Wiley represent Houston workers who have been discriminated because of their sexual orientation. They have the experience to make sure that every avenue is pursued and no stone is left unturned. In short, when you have been discriminated because of your gender you need an attorney that understands your situation and that will fight for you.
Although the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) has been overturned, Houston workers still have some protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity under the existing legal framework. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from what can be described as gender stereotyping, which often times just a shorthand way of discriminating an employee because of their sexual orientation.
Many times it may be difficult to determine if you have been discriminated because of your sexual orientation or if you have been stereotyped based on your gender. Examples from real cases that illustrate the underlying principles of sexual orientation discrimination are:
- An employee was suspended after he began to express more feminine appearance and notified his employer he planned on undergoing a complete transformation into a women;
- Terminating the benefits of an employee whose legal spouse was an individual transgender individual;
- An individual was denied a job after the employer found out that they were a transgendered individual;
- A woman was denied a promotion because she needed to walk more femininely, talk more femininely, and dress more femininely; and
- A man suffering from a hostile work environment on an oil rig because his coworkers thought he was too feminine and thus consistently teased and harassed him.
Such discrimination based on gender stereotypes can be found if the action of the employer rise to the level of creating a hostile work environment or if they lead to an adverse employment action. Common examples of adverse employment actions are:
- Failure to be promoted;
- Failure to be hired;
- Being suspended;
- Being demoted; and
- Being terminated.
The only way to defend not only your rights as a hard working employee but those of others is to step forward. We can only do our job if workers step forward and fight unfair employment practices. It can be difficult to step forward and take a stand and that is why you need a team of professionals that will be with you every step of the way.
Take Action
If you feel you have been discriminated against merely because of your sexual orientation, do not hesitate to contact our law firm. There are many deadlines that require a quick turnaround. Depending on your case you have anywhere from 180 days to 300 days to report a violation of the Title VII to the EEOC. If you choose to contact us, you will generally meet with an attorney to discuss your matter. If we believe a violation of the law has occurred and if you decide to hire us, we will sign a representation agreement and enforce your rights.