Costa Mesa Sexual Orientation Discrimination Lawyer

LGBTQ+ employees in California deserve to experience the same work environment as their cisgender heterosexual coworkers. Unfortunately, this is often not the reality. If you or someone you love has experienced illegal acts in the workplace, reach out to a knowledgeable Costa Mesa sexual orientation discrimination lawyer to understand what steps you can take to protect your rights under California sexual orientation discrimination laws.

When facing discrimination in the workplace for your sexuality, you need an attorney who can empathize with the struggles that LGBTQ+ individuals face in their daily lives. The lawyers at California Employment Counsel, APC, have extensive experience representing the diverse workers who live throughout the Costa Mesa community and surrounding areas. Our goal is to help marginalized individuals understand their legal rights so they can take control of their case.

In 2024, there were 64,900 employees in Costa Mesa. Of these employees, the most common jobs included management occupations, sales and related occupations, and office and administrative support occupations. Major employers throughout Orange County include Boeing, Experian Information Solutions, and Broadcom Corporation.

Many of the 2.8 million members of the LGBTQ+ community who lived throughout California in 2024 made a major contribution to the state workforce. Despite this, workers still face significant discrimination in the workplace.

Regardless of your sexuality, every worker in California has the right to earn a living free of discrimination. California’s Civil Rights Department is responsible for enforcing and overseeing the Fair Employment and Housing Act. This act protects employees from experiencing discrimination and harassment, both at work and in their housing environment.

Common examples of workplace discrimination regarding sexuality are listed below:

• You weren’t hired for a job because you’re openly LGBTQ+, despite being more than qualified for the role.
• You are excluded from work meetings or functions because of your sexuality.
• Your employer makes assumptions about you and your work performance because of your sexual orientation.
• You experience slurs, teasing, bullying, and derogatory comments about your identity.
• You were offered lower pay for the same job role as your straight coworkers
• A potential employer assumed you wouldn’t fit into the company culture because of your sexual orientation.
• You were forcibly outed by a supervisor at your job.

In 2023, there were 204 employment complaints filed with the California Civil Rights Department for violations regarding sexual orientation. If you’ve experienced any form of discrimination in the workplace, you can file a complaint as well.

To help navigate your sexual orientation discrimination case, hire a sexual orientation discrimination lawyer to represent you and protect your rights. They can explain what options are available in your unique situation. If you decide to file a complaint with the Civil Rights Department, prepare for an investigation into the claim. You have three years from the date of the last incident to file your complaint.

You can also choose to file a “right-to-sue” complaint with the Civil Rights Department. Choose this option if you plan to file a civil claim in court against the perpetrator. If you decide to pursue this route, the Civil Rights Department doesn’t investigate your claim. Instead, it’s handled by the court. A qualified Costa Mesa sexual orientation discrimination lawyer can help you file for this at the Central Justice Center, located at 700 Civic Center Drive West in Santa Ana.

To prove your complaint, gather and preserve as much evidence as possible. It can be difficult to prove workplace discrimination since perpetrators often use sly or manipulative tactics to avoid detection. However, with proper legal counsel, you can collect evidence that strongly supports your claim, like the examples of evidence listed below: 

• Any written communication between you and the perpetrator, no matter how small
• Testimony from coworkers who witnessed the discriminatory acts
• Surveillance footage of the incident
• Letters, paystubs, and other official documentation to bolster your claim

It’s important to provide a direct connection between the discrimination and your status as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. As soon as you’ve experienced discrimination, start keeping detailed notes of incidents. This should include the date and time of the incident, who was involved, and what happened.

Avoid deleting any written communication, including emails and text messages, even if they seem minor. Don’t post about your situation on social media, as it can affect your case. Do not record conversations or the perpetrator in secret as evidence of the incident, as this is unlawful in California.

It’s often recommended to report these incidents to your company’s Human Resources department before filing a complaint with the Civil Rights Department. This gives the company a chance to resolve the matter internally. If you report the discrimination to HR, do so in writing.

Workers who report unfair or illegal workplace treatment are legally protected. If you experience retaliation for reporting discrimination, it is unlawful. Common forms of retaliation can look like the instances listed below:

• You were harassed by coworkers for reporting discrimination.
• You got fired after making a complaint to HR or the Civil Rights Department.
• You are ignored or are being singled out, as in having your work unfairly criticized.
• You were demoted or passed over for a promotion.
• You no longer get invites to work meetings or functions that you normally would have been invited to.
• Your work hours were cut, or you were transferred.
• You were denied vacation requests, especially when your coworkers’ requests are being approved.

After experiencing discrimination for who you are, you deserve to work with an attorney who treats you like a human being. The team at California Employment Counsel, APC, offers transparent legal guidance so you can make informed choices regarding your unique case. Contact our office in Costa Mesa to set up a confidential consultation with one of our legal advocates.