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HIS MONTH, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act’s workplace protections extend to gay and transgender workers. The landmark decision, which bars employers from firing workers for being gay or transgender, was written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, an appointee of President Donald Trump, surprising advocates on both sides of the issue. Trump’s other Supreme Court appointee, Brett Kavanaugh, argued that such a change should have been left to Congress, but acknowledged that the LGBTQ community has “advanced powerful policy arguments and can take pride in today’s result.” Indeed, the victory reflects growing acceptance of the LGBTQ community. In another sign of changing attitudes, two House candidates in New York – Ritchie Torres in the South Bronx and Mondaire Jones in the Hudson Valley – were leading in their Democratic primaries last week and are poised to become the first gay Black members of Congress. But while the LGBTQ community has won a string of policy battles, others remain hotly contested. On the front lines of these battles are many remarkable individuals who are standing up for their rights. The 2020 Pride Power 100 list recognizes the most influential figures in the LGBTQ community here in New York.
