Governor Ned Lamont
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is a long overdue win for LGBTQ Americans and a signal that despite the best efforts of the current administration, the United States continues to stand for equality and justice for all,” Governor Lamont said. “Nobody should be fired because of who they love or the gender in which they identify. I am proud to live in a state that explicitly extended these civil rights protections to LGBTQ workers many years ago, and now we can celebrate that federal law prohibits this type of discrimination in every state throughout the country.”
Attorney General William Tong
“Connecticut has some of the strongest laws in the nation protecting LGBTQ individuals in the workplace. This decision means that every LGBTQ person, regardless of where they live, will be afforded that same right to work free from harassment and discrimination.Today is a major victory, but our work is far from over. As the Trump Administration continues its hateful and unlawful efforts to strip LGBTQ individuals of their rights to seek healthcare, employment and education free from discrimination, this office will continue to fight.”
NY Governor Andrew Cuomo
"The Supreme Court has made history, affirming what we've long known in New York: that all Americans, including LGBTQ people, must be protected from discrimination in the workplace.
"New York State was the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement and has long been the nation's torchbearer of equality. Seventy-five years ago, we were the first state to enact a Human Rights Law, and we have since strengthened our laws to protect LGBTQ New Yorkers from discrimination - groundbreaking protections, which will now extend to the millions of LGBTQ Americans in every state across the country.
"This landmark victory serves as a direct rebuke to the Trump Administration's decision last week to roll back healthcare nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people and is a reminder that regardless of who you are or who you love - discrimination is immoral, illegal, and incompatible with the idea of America.
"Now, the Senate must act and pass the Equality Act, which will expand federal anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people to housing, education, public accommodations, and beyond - just like we have in New York State."
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
Until today, a person could be fired for being LGBTQ+ in 26 states—not anymore. SCOTUS’ decision makes it illegal to discriminate against workers simply for their sexual orientation or gender identity. A huge win for equality & LGBTQ+ Americans.
Discriminatory practices that strip away the basic civil rights of LGBTQ+ individuals threaten the core values of our nation. Just on Friday, Trump showed that the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans are still on the chopping block. Now more than ever, Congress must pass the #EqualityAct.
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro
“Today’s Supreme Court decision is an important victory in the fight for LGBTQ equality in this country. Enshrining in law that federal anti-discrimination laws protect gay and transgender employees is a watershed moment for LGBTQ activists across the nation. No one should ever be fired from their job due to their sexual orientation and people in the workplace should only be judged based on the quality of their work, not because of who they are or who they love. This victory would not have been possible without the fierce advocacy of activists across the nation who continue to work to ensure the LGBTQ community has equal protection under the law.”
State Senator Matt Lesser
“Regardless of how hard the Administration tries to fight the LGBTQ+ community, our country is still moving in the right direction and Connecticut is here to stand on the right side of history. Since 2011 everyone in Connecticut - including those in the trans* community - has had the right to access the health care they need without worrying about discrimination,” Sen. Lesser said in a statement. “While today’s court ruling represents a leap forward for equality across our country in employment, we should expect further attacks from dinosaurs in the Administration until Congress sees fit to pass an Equality Act to enshrine full equality for LGBTQ+ across the land. When it comes to health care, the good news is everybody will be protected in our state, regardless of what this Administration does."
Democratic candidate for President and Former Vice President Joe Biden
Today’s Supreme Court decision is a momentous step forward for our country. Before today, in more than half of states, LGBTQ+ people could get married one day and be fired from their job the next day under state law, simply because of who they are or who they love. This landmark 6-3 ruling affirms that LGBTQ+ Americans are entitled to equal rights under the law.
The story of our nation is one of a relentless march toward greater justice and greater equality for all people. Fifty years ago this month, the first Pride march took place in New York City as a protest — as a call for liberation. Today, by affirming that sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Supreme Court has confirmed the simple but profoundly American idea that every human being should be treated with respect and dignity. That everyone should be able to live openly, proudly, as their true selves without fear.
This decision is another step in our march towards equality for all. And while we celebrate this victory today, we know that our work is not yet done. As President, I look forward to signing into law the Equality Act, protecting the civil rights of LGBTQ+ Americans, and championing equal rights for all Americans. Happy Pride!