I would like to congratulate the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) on its recent actions taken in suing Scott Medical Health Center out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Pallet Companies, right here in our own city of Baltimore. On March 1, 2016, the EEOC filed federal lawsuits in the  on behalf of Dale Baxley, a gay employee working for Scott Medical Center, and Yolanda Boone, a lesbian employee for Pallet Companies. Both experienced severe harassment because of their sexual orientation and/or because they would not conform to the employer’s gender-based expectations, preferences, or stereotypes. Sadly, the employers did not have the best interest of their employees at heart.

These two cases mark the first time the EEOC is suing on behalf of employees who are alleging sexual orientation discrimination. The EEOC has made great strides by filing these cases because they hopefully bring to light an all too common workplace experience. The truth is equal protection in all employment related issues is a slow-moving process for LGBTQ employees. It is painful for me to see how much suffering these human beings have had to endure, all to justify legal protection.

If you or someone you know believes you have been a victim of discrimination based on sex discrimination or sexual orientation, I highly recommend you contact our office. The treatment that Baxley and Boone experienced in the workplace, I would not wish upon even my worst enemy.