Case Summary
**Case Summary: Zarda v. Altitude Express, Inc.**
**Docket Number:** 4563317
**Court:** United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
**Date:** Decided on February 26, 2020
**Overview:**
Zarda v. Altitude Express, Inc. is a landmark case addressing the issue of whether discrimination based on sexual orientation constitutes a form of sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The case arose from Donald Zarda, a former skydiving instructor who claimed he was fired from his job because of his sexual orientation.
**Facts:**
Donald Zarda was employed by Altitude Express, Inc., a skydiving company, and was known to be openly gay. He was terminated in 2010 after an incident where he told a female customer that he was gay to assure her that there was no cause for concern during their tandem skydiving experience. Following his dismissal, Zarda filed a lawsuit, claiming that Altitude Express violated Title VII by discriminating against him on the basis of his sexual orientation.
**Legal Issues:**
The central legal question in this case was whether sexual orientation is a protected characteristic under Title VII, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The focus was on interpreting the term "sex" to potentially include sexual orientation.
**Court's Decision:**
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Zarda, concluding that discrimination based on sexual orientation is a form of sex discrimination. The court held that an employer who discriminates against an employee for being gay essentially relies on gender stereotypes and norms, which falls under the purview of Title VII protections. The court's decision aligned with a growing national consensus that sexual orientation discrimination is a violation of federal law.
**Significance:**
This case was pivotal in expanding the interpretation of Title VII to include protections against sexual orientation discrimination. It set a precedent for similar cases and contributed to the evolving discourse around LGBTQ+ rights in the workplace. The ruling underscored the importance of providing equitable treatment and protection against discrimination for all employees, regardless of their sexual orientation.
**Conclusion:**
Zarda v. Altitude Express, Inc. represented a significant advancement in civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals in the workforce, affirming that discrimination based on sexual orientation is a violation of federal law. The ruling has been influential in subsequent legal proceedings and discussions surrounding employment discrimination and workplace equality.