Law Offices of Dan A. Atkerson

Willie Nelson Shows Support for Texas LGBT Community, Endorses Statewide Anti-Discrimination Group

Jun 17, 2015 @ 01:00 PM — by Dan Atkerson
Tagged with: Willienelson Workplace Discrimination

Country music legend Willie Nelson recently endorsed Texas Wins, an anti-discrimination group that focuses on fighting discrimination against LGBTQ people in Texas.

“Discrimination against the LGBT community is not what Texas is all about,” said the 82-year-old singer, adding that he’s “thrilled” to support Texas Wins.

“[Gay people] should be just as miserable as the rest of us,” Nelson joked. “It’s ridiculous to me that this is something we’re having a conversation about in this day and age.” Nelson said he thought the issue was settled long ago.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees from workplace discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, age, religion and disability. While there is no category for sexual orientation, the law may be evolving. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently held that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals alleging sex stereotyping may have claim under prohibited gender discrimination.

Texas state law currently does not protect employees from discrimination at work due to sexual orientation or gender identity. However, certain municipalities in certain areas do under local ordinances, and in some cases, one could bring a sexual orientation case under “gender discrimination.”

No employee should have to tolerate discrimination or harassment at work. Victims of sexual orientation discrimination have legal rights. Contact Dallas employment lawyer Dan A. Atkerson to learn how to stop and prevent sexual orientation discrimination.

Atkerson Law – Dallas Employment Law Attorney