Lambda Legal

Summary

In 2004, Richard Mitchell interviewed for the position of superintendent of Bremen Community High School District No. 228 in Chicago. Following his interview, school board member Evelyn Gleason encouraged the board not to hire him because he is gay. But the board chose to hire Mitchell and in 2005 extended his three-year contract. Soon after, Gleason became president of the school board and was able to do what she’d always wanted: get rid of Mitchell. When Mitchell notified the board that he intended to pursue his rights under local laws prohibiting sexual orientation discrimination, Gleason retaliated by trumping up false allegations against Mitchell in the media. He was suspended and later fired. Lambda Legal filed a complaintComplaint  The document filed with the court to initiate a legal case (more keywords) charging that Gleason's and the school board’s actions are illegal under the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance.

Context

The Cook County Human Rights Ordinance protects employees from being fired for their sexual orientation or gender identity and also from being retaliated against for exercising their rights under the ordinance.

Lambda Legal's Impact

Lambda Legal’s discrimination complaint aims to ensure that LGBT people are treated fairly in the workplace. Specifically, Lambda Legal is working to combat the prejudice against openly LGBT people working in education.

History

• December 13, 2006 Lambda Legal files sexual orientation discrimination complaint with the Cook County Human Rights Commission.