Supreme Court makes it easier to claim ‘reverse discrimination’

The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, sided with a straight woman who claims she was passed over for promotions in favor of less-qualified gay peers.

The ruling opens doors for reverse discrimination lawsuits from people who allege bias in the workplace because they are white, straight or male.

The justices struck down a legal hurdle known as the “background circumstances” rule, which required majority-group plaintiffs—like white or heterosexual workers—to provide extra evidence of bias.

Background
The woman, named Marlean Ames, who worked for Ohio’s Department of Youth Services, alleged she was passed over for promotion in favor of a gay colleague and later demoted. Lower courts dismissed her case, citing the rule.

Wider legal impact
The ruling affects 20 states and Washington, DC, where courts still used the now-invalidated rule. It opens the door for more reverse discrimination cases at a time when DEI programs face growing legal and political challenges across the US.