Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.

Employment Discrimination

In its 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County decision, the U.S. Supreme Court found that employers can't fire someone just because they are gay or transgender.

Texas Law

Texas Labor Code, Chapter 21
Texas law prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, or age.

Federal Law

Bostock v. Clayton County — June 15, 2020
The Court found that it is illegal to fire someone just because they are gay or transgender.
Chapter 21 in Title 42 of the U.S. Code
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states that all persons have equal rights under the law.

Understanding the Law

HIV Discrimination in the Workplace
Lambda Legal explains the legal protections for HIV+ people when at work.
Know Your Rights: Employment
Advocates for Trans Equality lists legal protections for transgender people in the workplace.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination: Your Rights
Legal publisher Nolo explains the ruling in Bostock v. Clayton County.
What To Do If You Experience Discrimination
Lambda Legal describes steps to take when discriminated against at work.

Filing a Complaint

Housing Discrimination

Both Texas and federal law prohibit housing discrimination based on sex.

Texas Law

Texas Property Code, Chapter 301
The Texas Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin.
Comparing Nondiscrimination Protections in Texas Cities
The Texas Tribune compares nondiscrimination ordinances in place in a number of Texas cities.

Federal Law

Chapter 45 in Title 42 of the U.S. Code
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin.

Understanding the Law

The Fair Housing Act
Information from the U.S. Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice on the Fair Housing Act and how it applies to various members of the protected classes.
Know Your Rights: Housing and Homelessness
Advocates for Trans Equality answers questions about discrimination against transgender people in housing.

Filing a Complaint

Reporting Housing Discrimination — U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
Federal law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.
Housing Discrimination Complaints — Texas Workforce Commission
Texas law prohibits discrimination in housing based because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.

U.S. Supreme Court Cases

Since 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court has decided several landmark cases about LGBT rights. The cases listed below were historically important and had a large impact on the law.

Lawrence v. Texas — June 26, 2003
The Supreme Court struck down a Texas law outlawing consensual, adult homosexual sex. The Court found that it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
United States v. Windsor — June 26, 2013
The Court ruled that a federal law defining marriage as being between one man and one woman was unconstitutional. The law was found to violate same-sex couples' rights to equal protection under federal laws.
Obergefell et al. v. Hodges, Director, Ohio Department of Health, et al. — June 26, 2015
In this decision, the Supreme Court held that states must recognize same-sex marriage. It required states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission — June 4, 2018
The Court issued a ruling in a case involving a baker who would not create a cake for a same-sex wedding because of his religious opposition.
Bostock v. Clayton County — June 15, 2020
The Court found that it is illegal to fire someone just because they are gay or transgender.

Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.

Texas State
Law Library

LGBT Law

Employment Discrimination

Texas Law

Federal Law

Understanding the Law

Filing a Complaint

Housing Discrimination

Texas Law

Federal Law

Understanding the Law

Filing a Complaint

U.S. Supreme Court Cases