EEOC Rules Gender Bias Law Covers Gays and Lesbians

Federal law barring workplace gender bias covers gays and lesbians, the EEOC has ruled. “Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is premised on sex-based preferences, assumptions, expectations, stereotypes, or norms. ‘Sexual orientation’ as a concept cannot be defined or understood without reference to sex,” the EEOC wrote in a 3-2 decision last week. The interpretation is contrary to several federal appeals court decisions.