“From the equality of rights comes the identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert the rights of your neighbor without dealing a dangerous blow to your own" (Schurz). This quote from Carl Schurz, who died in 1906, is still valid for today's battle to protect sexual identity and orientation in the workplace. (American). A report on “discrimination and its effects” shows that 27% of LGB employees were harassed at work while 78% of transgender people reported some type of work-related harassment (Sears and Mallory). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees have been fighting for various forms of equality for years. The “religious right” has been fighting against those same rights for just as long based on their strong religious beliefs. (Goldberg). The fact that the tenant of the benefit is the factor for equal employment is fundamental to equality in the workplace. Although some believe that LGBT rights infringe on their religious freedoms, federal law should protect sexual orientation in the workplace because discrimination is unconstitutional and employment should be performance-based. In 1969 homosexual acts were illegal in New York and police raids were common in gay areas. community; one raid in particular known as the “Stonewall raid” was a turning point for the LGBT community as activists began to advocate for the rights of this segment of the population. (Filisko). Forty-five years later, LGBT rights are still under scrutiny. Individuals and groups with strong religious beliefs fight against the rights of the LGBT community. One of the main positions of religious and conservative people is that they should not be subjected to these alternative lifestyles that offend their religion...... middle of paper ......?_r=0Tabo, Tamara. “ENDA Title VII as We Know It: Why House Republicans Should Pass the Employment Nondiscrimination Act.” Abovethelaw.com. Breaking Media, Inc. April 10, 2014. Web. April 14, 2014. http://abovethelaw.com/2014/04/the-enda-title-vii-as-we-know-it-why-house-republicans-should -pass-the-employment-non-discrimination -act/Taylor, Gary and Hawley, Helen. “Freedom of religion in America”. Contemporary Review282.1649 (June 2003): 344-350. ProQuest. Network. April 12, 2014. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/204947167?accountid=38769 “Tolerance.” Oxford Dictionary of Current English. 4th ed. 2006. Print.Wheeler, Ester and Barkley, Chris. “Stand by your gay colleagues.” The Lawyer(online).Centaur Communications, Ltd. London, United Kingdom. September 9, 2013.Web. April 11, 2014. http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.troy.edu/docview/1430916866?accountid=38769