Video Transcript: Discriminated Sexual Orientation
The Minnesota Human Rights Act, and this state was the first state to recognize sexual orientation as a protected class status under the law. I and the lawyers at Schaefer Halleen have been privileged for years to advocate on behalf of members of the LGBTQ community in advancing and protecting their rights. So what you should do is find an advocate that understands those issues, that has an appreciation for what it’s like to go through the lack of acceptance, the barriers, the struggles that individuals in those communities experience in the workplace, and who knows how to advocate for them, can point out when their rights are being violated and develop a strategy with them for vindicating those rights, for holding the employer accountable.
They also need to, like any individual subject to discrimination, you need to document everything that’s happened to you so that when you get advice and counsel from a lawyer, you can let them know everything that’s happened. When we are armed with that information, we will advocate for you both to try to fix things if you’re still employed there, or hold your employer accountable if you’ve been terminated because of your sexual orientation.
About Larry Schaefer
Lawrence P. Schaefer has earned the respect of judges and other lawyers for his thorough and aggressive client advocacy in negotiation and litigation. He focuses exclusively on representing people who have been subject to employment discrimination at work. Larry serves as the firm’s President and head of litigation. Learn more >
About Toni Halleen
Toni has practiced employment law since graduating from law school in 1988. The field appeals to her because in our society, our jobs can be core to our identity and well-being. Even in her early years in the 70s and 80s, Toni remembers being drawn to ideals of justice, fairness, and social equality in attending anti-discrimination marches, participating in school activism, and admiring the political satire of the Smothers Brothers (and others). Learn more >
