Current Headlines
New Discrimination Laws in Iowa, Colorado, and Oregon on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
October 16, 2007
SAN FRANCISCO - Update on State Laws Prohibiting Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Discrimination in Private Employment: Iowa, Colorado, and Oregon.
- Effective July 1, 2007, the state of Iowa prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Effective August 8, 2007, Colorado prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Beginning January 1, 2008, Oregon will also prohibit discrimination on either basis.
Currently, the following states and the District of Columbia have laws that prohibit sexual orientation discrimination in private employment:
California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. However, three more states have passed new laws that will go into effect soon: Iowa (effective July 1, 2007), Colorado (effective August 8, 2007), and Oregon (effective January 1, 2008).
Many states already have laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity. These states include: California, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Washington.
As of July 1, 2007, Iowa and Vermont will join the ranks, and Oregon will follow suit on January 1, 2008.
In states where the law does not currently prohibit sexual orientation discrimination or gender identity, many local government may provide this protection: Over 180 cities and counties prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in at least some workplaces.
Additionally, in some states, courts have protected individuals discriminated against on these bases even without an explicit statute declaring it illegal.
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