Astraea Condemns Recent Reversal of Protections Against Workplace Discrimination

Published on Oct 9, 2017

We – women and the entire LGBTQI community – not only deserve better than an administration that has placed a target on our backs, we will resist until our civil liberties are protected.

Image courtesy of Southern Vision Alliance

New York, New York— The Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, the exclusive funder of LGBTQI organizations and individuals both in the U.S. and around the globe, issued the following statement in response to two recent sets of guidance from the Department of Justice to reverse Obama-era workplace protections policy. The first guidance, announced on Thursday argued that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not explicitly cover discrimination on the basis of gender identity, thus removing workplace protections for trans individuals. Recently, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo protecting “religious liberty,” a widely understood allowance of discrimination against women and members of the LGBTQI community. “It is reprehensible that this administration seems determined to roll back workplace protections, especially for women and LGBTQI peoples. This exhibits a blatant disregard for their contributions to U.S. society, from public servants to members of the private sector,” said J. Bob Alotta, Executive Director of the Astraea Foundation. “We – women and the entire LGBTQI community – not only deserve better than an administration that has placed a target on our backs, we will resist until our civil liberties are protected. Astraea will continue our work, fueling the frontlines of LGBTQI justice to combat this administration’s denunciation of equality. No one should be forced to live in fear of losing their job because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. We will continue to fight for freedom and justice until each and every one of us can live a life free from harm and discrimination,” concluded Alotta. About Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice The Astraea Lesbian Foundation For Justice is the only philanthropic organization working exclusively to advance LGBTQI human rights around the globe. For 40 years, we have been the only philanthropic organization working exclusively to advance LGBTQI human rights around the globe. We support brilliant and brave grantee partners in the U.S. and internationally who challenge oppression and seed change. We work for racial, economic, social, and gender justice, because everyone deserves to live their lives freely, without fear, and with dignity. Earlier this year, Astraea launched a new fund to help respond to the critical needs within the LGBTQI community in the United States, the Uprising of Love Fund.