President of U.S. Bishops’ Conference Issues Statement on Supreme Court Decision on Legal Definition of “Sex” in Civil Rights Law

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June 15, 2020
WASHINGTON — The president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB),
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, provided a statement on the decision issued today by
the Supreme Court of the United States – combining Bostock v. Clayton County, Ga., Altitude
Express v. Zarda, and R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. Equal Opportunity Employment
Comm’n. The justices ruled that the prohibition on “sex” discrimination in employment in Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 now prohibits discrimination based on “sexual orientation” and
“transgender” status.

Archbishop Gomez’s statement follows:

“I am deeply concerned that the U.S. Supreme Court has effectively redefined the legal meaning of
‘sex’ in our nation’s civil rights law. This is an injustice that will have implications in many
areas of life.

“By erasing the beautiful differences and complementary relationship between man and woman, we
ignore the glory of God’s creation and harm the human family, the first building block of society.
Our sex, whether we are male or female, is part of God’s plan for creation and for our lives. As
Pope Francis has taught with such sensitivity, to live in the truth with God’s intended gifts in
our lives requires that we receive our bodily and sexual identity with gratitude from our Creator.
No one can find true happiness by pursuing a path that is contrary to God’s plan.

“Every human person is made in the image and likeness of God and, without exception, must be
treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. Protecting our neighbors from unjust discrimination
does not require redefining human nature.

“We pray that the Church, with the help of Mary, the Mother of God, will be able to continue her
mission to bring Jesus Christ to every man and woman.”

On August 23, 2019, the USCCB, joined by other national religious organizations, filed amicus
curiae briefs in the cases. They are available at www.usccb.org/about/general-counsel/amicus-briefs/upload/Bostock-8-23-19.pdf  and www.usccb.org/about/general-counsel/amicus-briefs/upload/Harris-8-23-19.pdf 
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