EEOC seeks to drop a gender discrimination case, signaling a big shift in civil rights enforcement

The federal agency that enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws has moved to dismiss its own lawsuit on behalf of a worker allegedly fired for his sexual orientation and gender identity, arguing that the case now conflicts with President Donald Trump’s recent executive order. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Thursday filed a joint motion to dismiss its case against Harmony Hospitality LLC just eight months after the agency sued the company over its firing of an employee who identifies as nonbinary male and gay. The EEOC’s request marks a major departure from its prior interpretation of civil rights law after the Trump administration declared that the government would recognize only two sexes: male and female.