FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alyson Malinger, West End Strategy Team
amalinger@westendstrategy.com; 917-935-7311

The National Council of Jewish Women Celebrates Supreme Court Title VII Decision on LGBTQ Rights

WASHINGTON – The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, which unequivocally states “an employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII.” Sheila Katz, CEO of NCJW, responded with the following:

“As we celebrate Pride Month and continue the ongoing battle for LGBTQ justice, we mark today as an important moment for equality. In Judaism, we believe in B’tzelem Elohim, that we are all made in the image of the divine — we all have inherent dignity and worth. Today’s historic ruling reflects this value by confirming that LGBTQ people are protected from employment discrimination under federal law.

“We must remember that today’s victory is thanks to the bravery and perseverance of transgender individuals including ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio, who argued the case, and Aimee Stephens, who brought the suit after she was discriminated against at work. While Stephens is not alive today to see this win, her memory will be uplifted with the generations of queer and trans-Americans who will be protected under law. 

“As joyous as today’s decision is, our work is not over. It is critical that Congress fully protect people based on sexual orientation and gender identity by passing the Equality Act (HR 5). We must also remember that to achieve full equality, we must continue to uplift the voices of Black LGBTQ individuals and work to dismantle systemic racism, whose pernicious grip on our nation harms LGBTQ individuals, Black people, and ultimately all of us. Our liberation is bound together and our pursuit of equality is far from done.”

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.