Press Releases
07/26/2017
Gov. Malloy: Trump Administration, Department of Justice Going Out of its Way to Divide Americans and Legalize Discrimination
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy is criticizing an amicus brief filed in federal court by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday, whereby the administration has needlessly intervened in a case currently being heard in the Second Circuit, arguing that employers should be allowed to fire, deny promotion to, and generally discriminate against their employees just for being gay. The brief is particularly unusual because the DOJ was never asked to weigh in on this particular case, which was filed by a worker who said he was being discriminated against by his employer based solely on his sexual orientation, and went out of its way to intervene against the workplace rights of LGBT Americans.
The administration’s action in the case came on the same day that President Trump announced his intention to ban people who are transgender from serving in the military in any capacity.
“The Trump Administration and Attorney General Sessions are now blatantly going out of their way to divide Americans and legalize discrimination in our country,” Governor Malloy said. “We are stepping into an era where a presidential administration is clearly trying to separate people and the civil rights that they are allowed to have based on who they are, and that is shameful. The last century of American history has been noted for numerous steps forward in righting the wrongs that had separated our country for too long, and it is appalling that those in authority are now actively seeking to move the clock on equality and justice backwards. Those in leadership positions throughout our nation should be doing everything they can to unite our country and protect the civil rights of all people, not actively seeking to divide hardworking, patriotic Americans.”
Governor Malloy noted that Connecticut law prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status.
“The DOJ decision to take this stand – one that specifically and absolutely harms the LGBTQ community – is inexcusable,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. “History has shown this is the wrong thing to do and that the consequences of state-sanctioned discrimination are dire. Beyond the basic fact that government is supposed to serve its citizens, the strength of our communities, our workforce, and our nation stems from our diversity.”
The court case is Zarda v. Altitude Express.
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