Lambda Legal 'Surprised and Deeply Disappointed' by Federal Appeals Court Ruling on Sex Stereotypes

(San Francisco, December 28, 2004) - In response to the ruling issued today in the 9th Circuit, Lambda Legal issued the following statement:

“We are surprised and deeply disappointed by today's decision, which misapplies key legal precedents that have protected working women for many years. Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act requires the protection of women from burdensome sex stereotypes. But today's decision makes those protections hollow because it says women -- including our client Darlene Jespersen -- cannot even seek fairness with a day in court to explain how sex-based employment rules impact them in real life. Ms. Jespersen was unjustly forced to adhere to rigid gender-based stereotypes as a condition of her job. In dissent, Judge Thomas agreed with her that Title VII does impose some limits on what sex-based rules employers can require of employees. Unfortunately, he was the court's minority opinion today.”

Jennifer C. Pizer is Senior Counsel in Lambda Legal’s Western Regional Office based in Los Angeles. She is lead attorney on Jespersen v. Harrah’s Casino.

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Fred Shank 212-809-8585 ext.267

Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.