Halunen Law attorney Josh Newville offers insight on transgender harassment lawsuit and the state of the law protecting these employees
February 26th, 2025
Minnesota Star Tribune writer Mike Hughlett reports on a transgender harassment case against Walmart in a recent article: “After state ruling against Walmart, transgender man sues over harassment at West St. Paul Store.” The article provides a detailed account of the case and highlights national studies indicating widespread on-the-job harassment of transgender people. It notes that Minnesota has strong protections for transgender employees as one of 23 states with laws prohibiting transgender discrimination. The United States Supreme Court held in the 2020 Bostock case that Title VII’s antidiscrimination protections include transgender employees, but the use of federal law to protect these employees is under attack. Noting that Bostock is “the law of the land,” Halunen Law employment attorney Josh Newville commented: “..given the Trump administration’s anti-transgender stance, I’m greatly concerned that the EEOC is not going to enforce the law,” adding, “For LGBT persons in states lacking protection against employment discrimination, it’s a scary time.”
Read the full article from the Minnesota Star Tribune.
If you or someone you know has experienced gender or other forms of workplace discrimination, we encourage you to learn more about employment rights and protections on the Minnesota Department of Human Rights website and the Halunen Law website. If, upon reviewing this information, you believe you may have a case, you can submit a Case Review Form or call us at 612-605-4098 to speak with one of our Intake Specialists.
A tenacious litigator who frequently obtains favorable outcomes for those he represents, Josh Newville leads Halunen Law’s Employment Litigation Group. He is a skilled, thoughtful, and determined professional who brings more than a decade of experience, a deep dedication to civil rights, and a commitment to excellence to his legal practice.