State Farm Stands Proud in Support of Landmark Ruling

In June of 2019, State Farm^® joined 206 other companies and industry associations by signing a “friend of the court” brief (a.k.a. amicus brief). This was a national business-led effort to proclaim support for, and defense of, equal employment opportunities for all people. During the months following, the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed cases involving discrimination against the LGBTQ community. They weighed whether an employer who fires an individual merely for being gay or transgender violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

On Monday, June 15, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling, essentially saying “yes it does.” Under federal law, it is now unlawful for an employer to fire or otherwise discriminate against individual employees for being gay or transgender. This is the position State Farm advocated for by signing the amicus brief last year.

“At State Farm helping people and improving the communities where we live and work is not just what we do, it’s what we believe in. That’s why we were proud to sign the ‘friend of the court’ brief in June 2019, and that’s why we’re very pleased with the recent Supreme Court ruling,” said Senior Vice President and General Counsel Steve McManus. “June is PRIDE month, and it’s fitting we celebrate this important ruling of equality, together. Especially at a time when our society is dealing with immense challenges of equal and social justice for all people.”

“It’s incredible the Supreme Court has confirmed what we already know. That every employee should be protected in the work place, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, as well as all other defining factors,” said Kathy Jones, co-leader of the PRIDE Employee Resource Group at State Farm.

“I have felt State Farm has always been an advocate for LGBTQ+ employees. There is no reason why any employee should need to be a protected class, and LGBTQ+ employees shouldn’t need to be given the same protection. Fortunately, State Farm has always been a huge supporter of the LGBTQ+ community as well as their employees who identify as such, but now citizens outside of the company are legally protected just like everyone else.”

Whether it’s helping life go right, recovering from the unexpected, or building safer and stronger communities, we are a company that makes it our business to improve the world around us… and for ALL of us.