Statement from Sarah Rossi, ACLU of Missouri director of advocacy and policy, regarding today's Pittman decision:
Today the Missouri Court of Appeals made two things very clear: Missourians are being harassed, bullied, and fired from their jobs for being gay, lesbian, or bisexual and they will have no recourse in the courts unless the State Legislature changes the Missouri Human Rights Act to protect them.
In what was clearly a reluctant decision, the court denied James Pittman’s claim against his employer for creating a hostile work environment – and eventually firing him – because he is a gay man. The court did not deny that what James experienced was real, but instead made clear that their hands were tied by Missouri law.
Contrary to what many believe, lesbian, gay, and bisexual Missourians can still be fired, kicked out of their homes, or denied service at a restaurant because of who they are and who they love. The ACLU has been calling on the legislature to change this for years, to have the basic decency to catch up to what 27 other states have already done - include LGBT people in the Missouri Human Rights Act. Pass the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act.
You can find a copy of the Court's decision and our amicus brief below.