R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC
In brief
The Supreme Court agreed with the Sixth Circuit: Title VII bars firing an employee merely for being transgender.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 6-3 · June 15, 2020 · Opinion by Justice Gorsuch
- What it’s about
- Aimee Stephens was fired from her job as a funeral director after informing her employer that she intended to transition from male to female.
- Who it affects
- The decision means employers covered by Title VII cannot fire employees merely because they are transgender. Lower courts and agencies should apply that rule to later employment-discrimination claims.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court decided that firing an employee for being transgender violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination based on sex.
The case tested whether Title VII's sex-discrimination ban reaches transgender employees directly or through sex stereotyping, such as rules about how men and women should act.
Question presented
Whether Title VII prohibits discrimination against transgender people based on (1) their status as transgender or (2) sex stereotyping under Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490 U.S. 228 (1989).
What the Court decided
Holding
An employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII. 964, reversed and remanded. No. 17–1623, 883 F. 3d 100, and No. 18–107, 884 F. 3d 560, affirmed.
- Result
- Affirmed
The vote
From the opinions
“There is only one word for what the Court has done today: legislation.”
What's next
The Sixth Circuit's ruling remains in place. Employers, lower courts, and agencies should apply Title VII consistently with this decision in future employment-discrimination matters.
Documents
Docket activity
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AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
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AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
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AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: status, opinion_date
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Brief added: Questions Presented
More questions
- What did Harris Funeral Homes decide about transgender employees?
- The Court decided that firing someone merely for being transgender violates Title VII, the federal law banning sex discrimination at work.
- How does the ruling affect employers and agencies?
- Employers covered by Title VII cannot fire employees merely because they are transgender. Agencies should apply that rule to employment-discrimination claims.
- What happens next after the decision?
- The Sixth Circuit's ruling remains in place. Lower courts should apply the same Title VII rule in later employment cases.
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.