Can I Combine Race and Gender Bias in One Lawsuit? Understanding California’s Intersectional Discrimination Laws

Can I Combine Race and Gender Bias in One Lawsuit? Understanding California’s Intersectional Discrimination Laws

Workplace discrimination can profoundly impact not only your career but also your well-being. When multiple forms of bias intersect, such as race and gender discrimination, the effects can feel especially isolating. Understanding your rights under California’s laws is an essential first step in seeking justice. For employees facing intersectional discrimination, California’s legal protections enable you to address these issues comprehensively and assert your rights. The Law Offices of Jeannette A. Vaccaro PC helps employees understand their options when workplace bias puts their dignity and career at risk.

What Is Intersectionality?

Intersectionality is a framework that recognizes how different forms of discrimination—like race, gender or sexual orientation—combine and overlap, creating a unique and compounded experience of prejudice. For instance, a Black woman’s experience of discrimination may differ from that of a Black man or a white woman because of how race and gender intersect to create unique challenges.

Historically, courts and laws have tended to consider only single forms of discrimination at a time. However, this approach often fails to fully address the realities of individuals whose identities cross multiple lines. California has taken steps to address this gap through the enactment of anti-discrimination laws.

How California Law Addresses Intersectional Discrimination

California’s Senate Bill 1137 (SB1137) explicitly recognizes intersectionality in its anti-discrimination protections. This groundbreaking legislation ensures that individuals can pursue claims involving discrimination based on a combination of protected characteristics.

SB1137’s Impact on Workplace Discrimination Cases

SB1137 amends major statutes like the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and sections of the Education Code. Under this law, discrimination claims are no longer limited to a single protected category. Key provisions include:

1. Broader Protections. SB1137 explicitly protects against discrimination based on combinations of characteristics, such as race, gender, age or disability. For example, if an employee believes their employer treated them unfairly because they are an older Asian woman, they can bring a claim addressing both race and gender bias together.
2. Recognizing Unique Injuries. Claimants no longer need to disentangle their identities during litigation. SB1137 empowers courts to consider the full scope of discrimination rather than isolating individual categories like race or gender. It acknowledges that the harm caused by overlapping biases often cannot be separated.
3. Holding Employers Accountable. By removing the need to prove that a single characteristic solely caused discriminatory behavior, employees gain a stronger legal foundation to pursue justice. This makes it more difficult for employers to downplay claims or treat them as isolated incidents.

Why You Need Legal Support for Intersectional Discrimination Claims

Navigating a workplace discrimination case is challenging, especially when multiple forms of bias are involved. An attorney knowledgeable in employment law can help you learn about your legal options, gather evidence and build a compelling case specific to your circumstances. Whether you face racial bias, gender bias or a combination of both, it’s critical that you seek guidance from an experienced lawyer.

The Law Offices of Jeannette A. Vaccaro PC is deeply committed to protecting employees from workplace injustices. We understand how intersecting biases can create unique struggles, and we’re here to help you hold your employer accountable under California’s intersectional discrimination laws.

Take the First Step Toward Justice

If you are experiencing discrimination based on multiple aspects of your identity, you do not have to face this on your own. California law is on your side, and we are here to guide you through the process with compassion. Contact the Law Offices of Jeannette A. Vaccaro PC today for a free consultation.