Court extends some protections to Missouri LGBT workers

A Western District Missouri Court of Appeals panel delivering a ruling in favor of LGBT workers.

The three-judge panel decided to add discrimination based on sexual stereotypes to the list of sexual discrimination that can be considered for legal action.

“If the employer mistreats a male employee because the employer deems the employee insufficiently masculine, it is immaterial whether the male employee is gay or straight,” Judge Anthony Gabbert wrote in the opinion. “The prohibition against sex discrimination extends to all employees, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.”