BREAKING: Judge in Texas rules there are no workplace protections for LGBTQ+ Americans.

May 16
2 min read

Updated: May 26

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Federal Judge Challenges LGB+ & Transgender Workplace Protections

Cassandra Williamson

16 May 2025

Article Source: Courthouse News Service - Texas federal judge strikes down transgender workplace protections, and Erin Reed of Erin in the Morning

A recent ruling by a federal judge in Texas has challenged workplace protections for transgender employees. The decision, issued on May 15, 2025, invalidates portions of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance that interpreted Title VII's prohibition on sex-based discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

The judge, Matthew Kacsmaryk, found that the EEOC overstepped its authority in issuing guidance that required employers to use an employee's preferred pronouns and allow them to use bathrooms and dress in accordance with their gender identity. The ruling argues that Title VII does not mandate employers to disregard biological differences between men and women. This decision stems from a lawsuit initiated by the state of Texas and the Heritage Foundation.

The court also stated that the Supreme Court's 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County ruling, which protected employees from termination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, did not provide a legal basis for the EEOC's more extensive guidance.

Suggested Statement for Print and Broadcast:

"The recent federal court ruling in Texas, which rolls back key aspects of EEOC guidance on transgender workplace protections, is a significant development with serious implications. This decision challenges the understanding that Title VII's protections against sex discrimination inherently cover gender identity, including the use of preferred pronouns and access to facilities aligning with one's gender identity. While the 2020 Supreme Court ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County affirmed that firing someone based on sexual orientation or gender identity is unlawful, this new ruling narrows the scope of related workplace accommodations. This creates further uncertainty for transgender employees and employers alike, highlighting the ongoing legal and societal dialogue surrounding transgender rights and workplace equality. We will continue to monitor developments on this critical issue."