US Supreme Court Decisions Address Discrimination, Guns

The US Supreme Court yesterday made it easier for employees from majority groups, such as white or heterosexual workers, to bring so-called reverse discrimination claims.

Justices unanimously sided with Marlean Ames, a straight woman who says she was denied a promotion at the Ohio Department of Youth Services and later demoted due to her sexual orientation. The court tossed a lower court rule requiring plaintiffs to show “background circumstances” suggesting bias, and affirmed all Title VII claims must be judged by the same legal standards, regardless of group status.

Separately, the court unanimously dismissed a lawsuit by the Mexican government seeking billions from US gunmakers over cartel violence, citing a federal law shielding gun manufacturers from liability. In another decision, justices ruled Wisconsin violated the First Amendment when it denied a Catholic Charities chapter a tax exemption on grounds it was insufficiently religious.

Other rulings expected this term include cases on birthright citizenship, transgender rights, and multiple discrimination challenges.