On Oct. 8, the U.S. Supreme Court heard three cases to determine if the LGBTQIA+ community are entitled to legal protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While the three cases focused on employment protections, the effects of the court”s decision will have impact beyond the workplace.

It’s a fact that 52% of LGBTQIA+ Americans live in a state, and 100% live in a country, with zero protections for them from workplace discrimination. That is why these cases matter here in Hawaii, even though we locally have some the strongest protections for the LGBTQIA+ community, because the federal government is one of the top employers in our state.

Given the makeup of the Supreme Court, every person who cares about justice and equality should be concerned about the outcome of these cases. They also are a reminder that the quest to make a more perfect union is an ongoing struggle.

Michael Golojuch Jr.

Chair, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii

Makakilo

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