Sexual Orientation Discrimination in Employment

Minnesota law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees because of their sexual orientation. The law also protects employees who are perceived as having a particular sexual orientation, even if they do not. Some cities have also enacted laws to prevent this type of discrimination. However, some employers are exempt from these laws. For example, religious and certain private organizations, such as churches and the Boy Scouts, may base employment decisions on sexual orientation. Anti-discrimination laws vary from state to state and city to city.

Some examples of sexual orientation discrimination are:

1. You work in Minnesota, and you are not hired, denied a promotion, or fired because your employer thinks you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual.
2. You work in Minnesota or for any company that contracts with the city of Minneapolis, and your employer has denied you the same health insurance or other benefits that are available to employees of other sexual orientations.
3. You work in Minnesota, and your boss or co-workers constantly make fun of you, harass you, or treat you badly because they think you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual.
4. You work in Minnesota, and your boss tells you not to discuss your sexual orientation while at work.
5. You work in Minnesota, and you suffer any of the above discrimination because your employer thinks you are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, even though you are heterosexual, or vice versa.

Nichols Kaster & Anderson, PLLP has litigation experience in many types of cases, including sexual orientation discrimination. If you think you may become involved in litigation with your employer, feel free to contact us.