Maybe your manager’s attitude changed after you came out, mentioned your partner, or stopped hiding who you are at work. Suddenly, you’re excluded, scrutinized, or treated differently. Samson Spiegelman is a sexual orientation discrimination lawyer in Pasadena who understands the LGBTQ+ community and can help you connect what happened at work to the legal protections you may have.
Sexual Orientation Discrimination, Legally Speaking
Sexual orientation discrimination happens when an employer treats you unfavorably because of your actual or perceived sexual orientation. California law protects workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation, including in hiring, firing, pay, promotions, assignments, and other terms and conditions of employment. Federal law also protects employees from sexual orientation discrimination as a form of sex discrimination under Title VII.
But your experience probably won’t arrive neatly labeled as discrimination. Maybe you stopped getting opportunities after coming out, a supervisor started treating you differently after learning about your partner, or jokes became part of your daily workday. As a sexual orientation discrimination lawyer in Pasadena with deep community ties, Samson can examine the timeline and patterns, connect them to the law, and help you understand whether your rights may have been violated.
Do I Have a Viable Sexual Orientation Discrimination Case?
You may feel that your sexual orientation affected how you were treated at work without having obvious proof of discrimination. Whether you have a viable claim can depend on the timing, patterns, your employer’s explanations, and how similarly situated coworkers were treated.
It may be worth talking to Samson if:
- You were fired, demoted, or denied opportunities after coming out
- You noticed your treatment change after your sexual orientation became known
- You were treated differently after mentioning or introducing your same-sex partner
- You experienced homophobic comments, slurs, jokes, or stereotypes at work
- You were excluded from meetings, projects, promotions, or other opportunities
- You were disciplined more harshly than similarly situated coworkers
- You were pressured to hide your sexual orientation from coworkers or clients
- You experienced unequal treatment involving workplace benefits or policies
- You were retaliated against after reporting sexual orientation discrimination or harassment
How Samson Can Help With Sexual Orientation Discrimination
When you tell Samson Spiegelman what happened at work, you don’t have to explain why being outed, hiding a relationship, or hearing a supposedly harmless “joke” can matter. As a sexual orientation discrimination lawyer in Pasadena with deep ties to the LGBTQ+ community, Samson understands the context behind these experiences and starts by listening to your story.
From there, Samson reviews emails, messages, personnel records, workplace policies, and other evidence, builds a clear timeline, compares how you were treated with coworkers, and identifies patterns that may support discrimination, harassment, or retaliation claims. He then communicates with your employer, negotiates for compensation or other meaningful outcomes, and litigates when necessary, all while keeping your lived experience at the center of the case.
What Are the Potential Remedies in Sexual Orientation Discrimination Cases?
If sexual orientation discrimination affected your job, income, career opportunities, or well-being, a successful claim may provide different forms of relief. The goal may be to address what you lost financially, compensate you for the harm you experienced, or change what happens at work. The remedies depend on your claims, evidence, and how the case is resolved.
Depending on your circumstances, potential remedies may include:
- Recovery of lost wages and employment benefits
- Compensation for future lost earnings when available
- Compensation for emotional distress and other non-economic harm
- Reinstatement, hiring, or promotion when appropriate
- Punitive damages when the legal requirements are met
- Recovery of attorney’s fees and litigation costs when available
- Negotiated settlement or severance compensation
- Corrections to employment or personnel records
- Changes to discriminatory workplace policies or practices
- Other negotiated workplace protections or terms relevant to your situation
Hire Samson to Be Your Gay Lawyer!
If things changed at work after you came out, mentioned your partner, or simply stopped hiding who you are, tell Samson what happened. Samson Spiegelman is a sexual orientation discrimination lawyer in Pasadena who understands the community he represents and the ways sexual orientation discrimination can actually show up at work. Spiegelman Law represents workers throughout California.
We handle cases on contingency, so we only get paid if you do. That helps level the playing field when your employer has far more money and resources to fight with. You don’t need to know whether your experience counts as discrimination. Contact Samson today, and let’s figure out what happened.
Ready to Talk to Samson?
Fill out the form below and Samson’s office will follow up to schedule your free consultation.
