Complaints of employment discrimination from lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals increased substantially from 2013 and 2014 and are on pace for another increase through the first half of fiscal year 2015, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In a recent summary of its enforcement activities, EEOC notes that its Strategic Enforcement Plan lists "coverage of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals under Title VII's sex discrimination provisions, as they may apply" as an enforcement priority for the agency through the conclusion of fiscal year 2016. In the first half of fiscal year 2015, the agency settled 603 complaints alleging harassment or discrimination related to either gender identity or orientation, with total settlements of $1,044,408; the 1,093 settlements in fiscal year 2014 yielded $2,197,149 in penalties. The agency also notes recent litigation regarding LGBT issues, including a May 2015 claim against an eye clinic that was settled for $150,000. An EEOC brochure, Gender Stereotyping: Preventing Employment Discrimination of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender Employees, is available to help employers and others train their workforce.

HRC Recommends: Lack of cultural competence can result in intentional or unintentional discrimination, disparities in health and healthcare, failure to satisfy patients' cultural or religious needs, and inefficient communication, and healthcare systems must prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, even when the law does not. A team to address cultural competence in the organization should include representatives from a variety of areas, including patient safety, quality, risk management, legal counsel, the medical and nursing staff, social services, and staff education. Resources to ensure culturally competent care as it relates to LGBT patients can be found in the Human Rights Campaign's Health Equality Index report (see the October 22, 2014, HRC Alerts).