TOWARD EQUAL RIGHTS FOR LGBT EMPLOYEES: LEGAL AND MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS

American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) workers have made great strides toward equal employment rights, and the trend toward equal rights is clear. Still, 52% of LGBT workers can be denied employment or fired simply for being LGBT. This state of the law makes the U.S. lag behind many of its major trading partners, who have already established equal employment in their national laws. While there are a number of routes U.S. law may soon take to end LGBT employment discrimination, private firms, especially those with international operations, will need to determine the best course to take. Major U.S. employers are increasingly embracing equal employment rights for LGBT workers. This article will discuss the legal and managerial implications of this important issue and advocate for LGBT equal employment as the best practice for private U.S. firms