NEW YORK, June 16, 2020—Teach For America CEO Elisa Villanueva Beard shared today the following statement on the Supreme Court’s landmark 6-3 ruling upholding employment protections for LGBTQ+ individuals. 

“Today the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision, ruling LGBTQ+ individuals can’t be fired from their jobs because of who they are or who they love. It’s a day to celebrate on the road to real equality. We are in solidarity and community with our LGBTQ+ family.

Today’s decision on workplace non-discrimination affirms the value of each of us as equal before each other and the law, and TFA’s enduring belief that all educators and students should be free from discrimination and should feel safe in their schools. Our own longstanding employment practices have held that discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity is wholly unacceptable and that all staff members have access to all benefits. 

Unequal access to opportunity—including an excellent education—along lines of race, class, immigration status, sex/gender identity, and other aspects of identity has deep roots in American history. Today’s decision helps ensure that we have the collective talents of all of America’s educators—that we will not lose great teachers because of employment discrimination and that all children can dream of becoming a teacher, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Alongside American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, the National School Boards Association, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and so many more calling to protect educators from employment discrimination, we add our voice.

This decision comes as our country reckons with centuries of racism and oppression. Dr. King said no one is free until we all are free. We are all inextricably connected, and each of us holds intersectional identities. If we want to build a truly just society, we need to support one another in the pursuit of equity—traveling together on that road and centering our shared humanity.”