Supreme Court Hears 'Reverse Discrimination' Case by Straight Woman Who Claims Her Job Was Given to Gay Man

The Supreme Court’s review of Marlean Ames’ workplace discrimination case could set a precedent on whether majority-group employees face unfair hurdles under Title VII, potentially reshaping DEI employment protections. (Credit: Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court signaled a potential shift in workplace discrimination law Wednesday, as justices weighed whether a straight woman's claim—being passed over for a promotion in favor of a lesbian colleague then replaced by a gay man—deserves the same legal protections typically extended to marginalized groups.

Marlean Ames filed a Title VII sex discrimination claim against the Ohio Department of Youth Services after being passed over for a promotion in favor of a lesbian colleague. Shortly after, she was demoted, and a gay man took her position.