Rock Hill for Equality

09/01/2016

BREAKING NEWS------
SC EQUALITY SUES SOUTH CAROLINA EMPLOYER IN TITLE VII ANTI-GAY DISCRIMINATION CASE.

SC Equality announced today that it has filed its first Title VII discrimination case based on s*xual orientation on behalf of Trevor Simpson. South Carolina’s statewide LGBT rights organization filed suit in U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division against SouthernCare, Inc. -- one of the nation’s largest hospice providers with over 75 offices in 15 states.

The amended complaint alleges that the branch manager of SouthernCare’s Myrtle Beach office complained about Simpson’s mannerisms and perceived s*xual orientation, calling them “Biblically unacceptable.” The branch manager’s negative comments were based on Simpson’s s*x, stereotypes Simpson’s association with other men, and Simpson’s not conforming to certain religious views. The branch manager gave Simpson’s co-workers Bible verses to relay to Simpson. Simpson followed company policy and complained to his employer about the hostile work environment to which he was being subjected. Instead of taking measures to end the hostile working environment, Defendant SouthernCare retaliated against Simpson for his complaints by taking away some of his accounts and giving them to Simpson’s manager, who was perpetrating the harassment. Ultimately, Simpson was constructively discharged from SouthernCare. SouthernCare then further retaliated against Simpson by suing him, seeking to enforce an invalid non-compete agreement against Simpson, causing Simpson to lose his new job.

Prior to filing the lawsuit, Simpson filed a charge of discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”). After an investigation, the EEOC found reasonable cause to believe that violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had occurred with respect to some or all of the matters alleged.

"With the filing of this lawsuit, SC Equality is continuing to reinforce its commitment to ensuring that individuals are not discriminated against in workplaces because of their s*xual orientation," said Jeff Ayers, Executive Director of SC Equality. “Although LGBT people will not have true equality in employment, housing, and education until the South Carolina General Assembly enacts laws expressly protecting against discrimination based on s*xual orientation and gender identity, every LGBT person in our state should understand that they already have these important protections available if they face discrimination or harassment at work under federal law.

“This is one of the most egregious cases of blatant discrimination I have ever seen,” said SC Equality Attorney Nekki Shutt, one of the team of attorney representing Smith on a pro bono basis. “It’s a reminder that despite South Carolina being the 35th state to recognize marriage equality in October 2014, an employee can be married on Sunday and then fired on Monday for being gay.”

08/28/2016

06/22/2016

HAPPENING NOW:

Call Congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-SC-5) and tell him you support .

We can't have another Orlando, and that means making sure elected representatives act. Our member of Congress shouldn't get a break until they've handled this critical issue.

Call Congressman Mulvaney's Washington Office at (202)-255-5501, or the House of Representative Switchboard at 202-224-3121 to be transferred to your Member of Congress.

If the line is busy make sure you leave a message expressing your support for a No-Fly-No-Buy law to protect LGBT Americans everywhere from another mass-tragedy.

06/14/2016

06/29/2015

Two months after hearing oral arguments in Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 in favor of marriage equality Friday morning, enshrining into law the "fundamental right to marry" for same-s*x couples across the country.

06/26/2015

Victory is Here! The supreme court rules that Same S*x marriage is legal in all 50 states.

05/28/2015

An openly gay high school senior in California schooled her fellow classmates in her yearbook quote.

05/28/2015

This is a sadly shocking statistic that needs to be addressed in this state. The time is now to establish ENDA and anti-discrimination legislation to protect our youth no matter what their s*xual orientation is.

Where does your state rank?

05/23/2015

This week we celebrate Harvey Milk's 85th birthday and honor his role as one of the pioneers of the LGBT community, even as we await a decision on marriage equality from the Supreme Court of the United States.

05/07/2015

Here is an interesting info graphic that shows the lack of LGBTQA anti-discrimination laws in SC. This is shameful! Hopefully our state legislature and the judiciary committee can pass a bill to address this.

05/07/2015

Is anyone interested in getting further involved with Rock Hill for Equality? Wanting to get their foot in the door with some grassroots organization? If so please message this page with your email, phone number and why you are interested. Following the announcement of the impending state legislature vote on the anti-discrimination bill we will be making great strides in your community. Though marriage equality is now in SC the fight is not over. There are still schools that refuse to allow LGBTQA coupling at prom, lack gay straight alliances and don't afford transgender students the choice of school facilities. Please stay alert as we announce some much anticipated action plans for the near future!

http://www.rockhillforequality.org/?p=103