Sexual Orientation / LGBTQ Discrimination

In Christensen v. Omnicom Group Inc., No. 16-748, 2017 WL 1130183 (2d Cir. Mar. 27, 2017), the Second Circuit overturned a lower court decision that dismissed (under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6)) the discrimination claim by plaintiff, an openly gay man, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In sum, the Second…

Read More Second Circuit Permits Gay Man’s Title VII Discrimination Case to Proceed on Gender Stereotyping Theory
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In Lorber v. Jacob Lew, No. 15-cv-9995, 2017 WL 633446 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 15, 2017) (J. Kimba M. Wood), the court dismissed (for failure to state a claim under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6)) plaintiff’s gender-based hostile work environment claim, but stayed its decision on defendant’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s Title VII sexual orientation discrimination claim (which…

Read More SDNY Dismisses Sex-Based Hostile Work Environment Claim; Stays Ruling on Title VII Sexual Orientation Discrimination (Stereotyping) Claim Pending Second Circuit Rulings
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On January 17, 2017, the Second Circuit heard oral argument (audio here) in the case of Christiansen v. Omnicom Group.   This is an appeal of Southern District of New York Judge Lori Failla’s Opinion and Order in Christiansen v. Omnicom Group Inc., 15-cv-3440, 167 F. Supp. 3d 598 (SDNY March 9, 2016), which dismissed plaintiff’s…

Read More Second Circuit Hears Oral Argument in Title VII Sexual Orientation Discrimination Case
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In Andaya v. Atlas Air, Inc., 2017 NY Slip Op 00141 (App. Div. 2d Dept. Jan. 11, 2017), the Appellate Division, Second Department affirmed the lower court’s order[1]Andaya v. Atlas Air, Inc., NY Sup. Ct., Westchester Cty., Index No. 58877/2012, Sept. 25, 2014 granting defendant summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims of sexual orientation discrimination and retaliation…

Read More 2d Dept. Affirms Dismissal of Sexual Orientation Discrimination and Retaliation Claims
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In Bliss v. MXK Rest. Corp., No. 16CV2676, 2016 WL 6775439 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 14, 2016), the court dismissed plaintiff’s gender and sexual orientation-based hostile work environment, retaliation, and aiding-and-abetting discrimination claims. In her complaint, plaintiff – a bartender/manager at defendants’ Remix nightclub – alleged (among other things) that she was subjected to a hostile work…

Read More Remix Bartender’s Gender-Based Hostile Work Environment Claims Dismissed as Insufficiently Pled
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In Hermés of Paris, Inc. v. Swain, No. 16-CV-6255 (CM), 2016 WL 4990340 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 13, 2016), the court granted the request by petitoner (Hermes) to compel arbitration of the respondent/employee’s claims. Respondent, who worked in one of Hermes’ retail locations, filed a lawsuit in New Jersey state court alleging claims of sexual orientation discrimination, creation of…

Read More Sexual Orientation Discrimination Claim Must Be Arbitrated; Consent to Arbitration Was “Knowing and Voluntary”
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From James v. City of N.Y., No. 157296/14, 2016 WL 6637734 (N.Y. App. Div. 1st Dept. Nov. 10, 2016): Crediting the allegations in the complaint for purposes of this motion to dismiss, we find that plaintiff, a correction officer and captain during the relevant time periods, has adequately alleged a claim for sexual orientation-based discrimination…

Read More Correction Officer Sufficiently Alleges Sexual Orientation Discrimination Under the NYC Human Rights Law
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In Cargian v. Breitling USA, Inc., No. 15 CIV. 01084 (GBD), 2016 WL 5867445 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 29, 2016), U.S. District Judge George B. Daniels dismissed the complaint filed by plaintiff, a gay man, alleging claims of gender, sexual orientation, and age discrimination. (You can read about plaintiff’s lawsuit here.) Gender Discrimination/Stereotyping As to plaintiff’s Title…

Read More Distinguishing Between “Sexual Orientation Discrimination” and “Gender Stereotyping”, Court Dismisses Gay Man’s Discrimination Claim
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In a recently-filed Manhattan Supreme Court lawsuit, captioned Cohen v. Speyer Legacy School et al (NY Sup. Ct. NY Cty. 157853/2016), plaintiff asserts that he was subjected to discrimination based on his sexual orientation and retaliation against an elite private Manhattan school for gifted children. Plaintiff (who is gay) alleges, among other things, that he…

Read More Sexual Orientation Discrimination Lawsuit Against Speyer Legacy School
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In a Manhattan federal lawsuit, captioned Rodriguez v. Highgate Hotels (SDNY 16-cv-05736, filed July 19, 2016), plaintiff (a male hotel worker) alleges that he was terminated for having a relationship with a female co-worker, while the defendant did not discipline (and in fact celebrated) a “clandestine romantic relationship” between a male supervisor and his male subordinate. Plaintiff…

Read More Gender and Sexual Orientation Discrimination Lawsuit By Heterosexual Hotel Worker
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