Are you experiencing LGBTQ discrimination at work? Maybe your manager skipped over you for a promotion after learning you’re in a same-sex relationship. Perhaps your co-workers constantly make comments about how you dress and HR does nothing, or you’re getting written up for things that others do without issue. If you’re experiencing this kind of unfair treatment, you have the right to speak up.

The lawyers at Moon Law Group, PC, can help you stand up for your rights. For more than 15 years, we’ve helped workers across Los Angeles and California hold employers accountable for mistreatment. Our attorneys are well-versed in handling all types of employment cases, including those involving LGBTQ discrimination. We can explain your options, gather the necessary evidence, and assist you in taking legal action.

Contact us now to schedule your initial case review with a Los Angeles LGBTQ lawyer. Your consultation is free and confidential, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.

How Can a Los Angeles LGBTQ Discrimination Lawyer Help with My Case?

If you’ve faced LGBTQ discrimination at work, Moon Law Group can help you take action and guide you through every step of your case. A lawyer can explain your rights, gather evidence, file complaints with the right agencies, and represent you in court if necessary. You deserve fair treatment at work, and an attorney can help you hold your employer accountable if they fail or refuse to provide it.

At Moon Law Group, our lawyers have exclusively represented workers in employment law matters since 2007. Our team has recovered millions of dollars for tens of thousands of workers across California. We don’t flinch when it comes to taking on powerful companies that think they can mistreat their employees without consequence. Our law firm has a reputation throughout Los Angeles and California for building strong cases and advocating for justice.

As one of the largest plaintiff’s employment law firms in California, our lawyers have extensive experience handling complex lawsuits, including class and collective actions. These cases allow large groups of employees to stand up together. We also handle individual claims with the same attention and care.

Courts throughout California know us for our skill and persistence. We work hard, stay honest with our clients, and fight for what’s fair. If you want a law firm that takes your case seriously and has the resources to see it through, Moon Law Group is here to help. Reach out to us today to speak with a Los Angeles LGBTQ attorney about your case.

What Is LGBTQ Discrimination?

LGBTQ discrimination happens when an employer treats someone unfairly because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This includes unfair treatment that affects hiring, pay, promotions, work assignments, or termination. It also includes perpetrating or allowing harassment, such as name-calling, offensive jokes, or repeated comments about how someone looks, dresses, or acts.

Some discrimination happens in ways that are easy to miss. For example, a manager might quietly pass over a qualified employee for a promotion after learning they are transgender. Supervisors and co-workers could also create a hostile environment by constantly using the wrong pronouns.

You don’t need to face slurs or be fired to have a valid claim. Subtle discrimination counts, too. If you experience anything like these examples of LGBTQ discrimination at work, you might have a legal case.

What Are Typical Signs of LGBTQ Discrimination at Work?

Workplace LGBTQ discrimination is not always obvious. Sometimes it’s direct, such as a termination that occurs after a worker has been dismissed. At other times, it manifests through gradual changes, such as someone being passed over for promotions, cut from projects, or left out of meetings. Additional common signs include unfair write-ups, schedule changes, or sudden decreases in pay or hours.

Harassment also counts as discrimination. If co-workers make offensive jokes or comments about your gender, attire, or relationships, and management allows it, that can be a form of harassment.

If you suspect something’s amiss, begin keeping records now. Save emails, document conversations, and write down dates and names. These details can support your claim. A lawyer from Moon Law Group can explain how to prove LGBTQ discrimination at work and the steps you can take to protect yourself. Reach out to us today to schedule your free, no-obligation case review and discover how we can make a difference.

What Laws Protect Me from Workplace LGBTQ Discrimination?

If you face LGBTQ discrimination at work in Los Angeles, you should know that you have legal protection under federal, state, and local laws. These laws stop employers from firing you, harassing you, or treating you differently because of your sexual orientation or gender identity. They also protect you from retaliation if you report unlawful discrimination or harassment in the workplace.

At the federal level, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace. In 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County that this protection extends to individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. That means your employer cannot fire you, refuse to hire you, or treat you worse than others just because you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or nonbinary. This ruling applies to both private and public employers nationwide with at least 15 employees.

California law provides LGBTQ workers with even greater protection. The state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) covers sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as separate protected categories. These protections cover how you dress, how you identify, and whether you are going through or have completed a gender transition. FEHA applies to most employers with five or more employees, so even people working at small businesses have these rights.

In Los Angeles, local laws provide an additional layer of protection. The city has anti-discrimination rules that apply to public and private employers. These rules make it illegal to treat LGBTQ workers unfairly when it comes to hiring, job assignments, pay, promotion, discipline, or termination. Los Angeles also supports workers who file complaints by offering access to city enforcement resources and additional reporting options. These local laws can strengthen your claim when combined with state and federal rights.

Is LGBTQ a Protected Class?

Yes. Local, state, and federal laws protect LGBTQ workers, and these protections apply to most workplaces in Los Angeles and across California.

If your employer treats you differently because of your sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, you might have a valid legal claim. If you’re thinking about filing an LGBTQ discrimination lawsuit, talk to a lawyer from Moon Law Group first. We can review what happened, help you explore your options, and begin building your case.

You don’t have to guess whether you have the right to take action. The legal team at Moon Law Group can provide you with straightforward answers and help you plan your next steps. Get in touch with us today to schedule your free, confidential case review.

What Damages Could I Recover in a Workplace LGBTQ Discrimination Lawsuit?

If you win a workplace LGBTQ discrimination case, you could recover damages (money) for the losses and harm you have suffered. Depending on the situation, you could receive several types of damages, such as the following:

  • Back Pay – Wages and benefits you lost from the start of the discrimination until now
  • Front Pay – Money to cover lost future earnings if you can’t return to your job
  • Emotional Distress – Compensation for stress, anxiety, or other harm to your mental health
  • Attorney’s Fees – The costs of legal representation
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs – Job search expenses, medical bills, or therapy costs related to the discrimination
  • Punitive Damages – Extra money the court may award to punish your employer if they acted with intentional malice or extreme misconduct

How Can I Prove LGBTQ Discrimination at Work?

Begin by documenting as much as possible. Write down names, dates, and what happened each time someone treated you unfairly. Save emails, texts, schedules, and performance reviews. If your employer provided reasons for actions like discipline, demotion, or firing, save those as well.

Keep track of how your employer treats others. If co-workers with similar jobs and experience receive better treatment, that could demonstrate bias. Pay attention to sudden changes in your work environment that may have occurred after you shared your LGBTQ status or after others discovered it.

A Los Angeles LGBTQ lawyer from Moon Law Group can guide you through this process. We can review your documents, collect witness statements, and assist you in building a strong case. Our lawyers know how to effectively cite company policies, timelines, and employment records to demonstrate unfair treatment. We can also explain your rights and assist you in reporting discrimination to the appropriate agency or court.

How Long Do I Have to File an LGBTQ Discrimination Claim?

In California, most workers are required to file administrative complaints before they can file a lawsuit against their employers. You usually need to file a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) within three years of the last act of discrimination or harassment.

After you file your complaint, the CRD will review it. You can request a right-to-sue letter if you wish to proceed directly to court. Once you get that letter, you generally have one year to file your lawsuit in civil court.

The statute of limitations can vary based on your case, so it’s best to talk to a lawyer from Moon Law Group as soon as you can. We can help you identify key deadlines and take the right steps before it’s too late.

Contact a Los Angeles LGBTQ Discrimination Attorney Today

If you believe your employer has treated you unfairly because of your LGBTQ status, don’t wait to get legal advice. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the sooner you can understand your rights and start taking action. Reach out to Moon Law Group today to arrange your free, fully confidential initial consultation and get the support you need.