The Supreme Court unanimously revived Marlean Ames’s “reverse discrimination” lawsuit against her former employer, making it easier for white and straight employees to bring similar claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Previously, courts in 20 states and D.C. required majority-group plaintiffs to show “background circumstances” suggesting unusual bias against them, in addition to standard discrimination proof. The Court rejected this extra hurdle, ruling that all individuals, regardless of majority or minority status, are entitled to the same legal protections and standards. Ames, a straight woman, alleged she was passed over for promotion and demoted in favor of gay colleagues. Lower courts had dismissed her case for not meeting the heightened standard, but the Supreme Court’s decision now allows her lawsuit to proceed and lowers the bar for future reverse discrimination claims.
Compiled from: “Supreme Court unanimously revives straight woman’s ‘reverse discrimination’ lawsuit,” The Hill, May 6, 2025.