PRACTICE AREA: Civil Rights & LGBTQIA+
Fighting for equality and protection
LawForPeople’s experienced civil rights attorneys are personally invested in LGBTQIA+ rights
These are essential aspects of life that members of our community have to fight for when, in fact, they are entitled to them—simply the same rights, accommodations, and courtesies extended to every other person in our state.
At LawForPeople, we take pride in our role as civil rights attorneys, standing proudly with LGBTQIA+ individuals to combat discrimination and seek justice. With in-depth knowledge of federal and Colorado state laws, our discrimination attorneys in Denver provide aggressive representation to defend your right to equality. Whether you’re facing unfair treatment at work, wrongful termination, or discrimination in housing or public spaces, we are here to advocate for you and your rights.
Discrimination against queer people in the workplace, in housing, in public accommodation, and even in access to care is still an issue in Colorado.
Wondering if you’ve been unlawfully discriminated against based on your LGBTQIA+ identity?
- Discrimination based on transgender status
- Discrimination based on HIV status
- Discrimination based on gender expression and identity
- Discrimination based on sexual orientation
- Wrongful termination
- Discrimination by paying an employee a lesser amount for the same work
- Discrimination in benefits
- Withdrawing a job offer after being made aware that the employee is part of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Excluding the employee from business lunches
- Offensive comments
- Unwanted and inappropriate touching
- Inappropriate jokes
- Name-calling
- Mockery
- Sexual orientation/gender identity stereotyping;
- Terminating or reducing the employee’s hours for making a gender transition
- Promoting less qualified employees who are not gay or lesbian
This is a short list of what is not acceptable under Federal and Colorado state law
Understanding the impact of discrimination
Statistics paint a stark picture of the discrimination the LGBTQIA+ community still faces
- More than 1 in 3 LGBTQI+ adults reported facing some kind of discrimination in the year prior to when they took the survey, while fewer than 1 in 5 non-LGBTQI+ individuals did so. Nearly half of LGBTQI+ people of color and LGBTQI+ people with disabilities, more than half of transgender or nonbinary individuals, and 2 in 3 intersex individuals also reported experiencing some form of discrimination in the past year.
- Half of LGBTQI+ adults reported experiencing some form of workplace discrimination or harassment in the past year because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status, including being fired; being denied a promotion; having their work hours cut; or experiencing verbal, physical, or sexual harassment.
- Nearly 3 in 10 LGBTQI+ adults reported experiencing some kind of housing discrimination or harassment in the past year because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status, including being prevented or discouraged from buying a home, being denied access to a shelter, or experiencing harassment from housemates or neighbors.
- Nearly 4 in 5 LGBTQI+ adults reported they took at least one action to avoid experiencing discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status, including hiding a personal relationship, avoiding law enforcement, avoiding medical offices, or changing the way they dressed.
- More than 1 in 3 LGBTQI+ adults reported postponing or avoiding medical care in the past year due to cost issues, including more than half of transgender or nonbinary respondents.
- More than 1 in 5 LGBTQI+ adults reported postponing or avoiding medical care in the past year due to disrespect or discrimination by providers, including more than 1 in 3 transgender or nonbinary individuals.
- More than half of LGBTQI+ adults reported that “recent debates about state laws restricting the rights of LGBTQI+ people” moderately or significantly affected their mental health or made them feel less safe, including more than 8 in 10 transgender or nonbinary individuals.
- Approximately 1 in 3 LGBTQI+ adults reported encountering at least one kind of negative experience or form of mistreatment when interacting with a mental health professional in the past year, including 4 in 10 LGBTQI+ people of color and more than 1 in 2 transgender or nonbinary individuals.
We are proud members of this vibrant community.
LawForPeople is committed to standing alongside you in pursuing justice and equality. Let us fight to ensure your rights are upheld and your voice heard.
As Colorado Governor Jared Polis says, “Members of the LGBTQIA+ community should feel welcome and know their rights are protected regardless of what state they reside in.” LawForPeople wholeheartedly agrees, and we are actively involved in community efforts to build a safer, more equitable world for everyone.
M. E. O'Connell, Esq.
M. E. O'Connell, Esq.
LawForPeople x Silver Linings
One way we are involved is our partnership with Silver Linings - a mental health organization that shares our dedication to accessible, trauma-informed support. Their team of therapists and clinicians is well-equipped to provide the compassionate care our clients need.
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