Former employees have launched a lawsuit against supermarket chain Kroger over the store’s insistence that store employees wear symbols supporting LGBTQ rights.
Brenda Lawson and Trudy Rickerd, both of whom worked at a Kroger in Conway, Arkansas, filed the suit September 14. The store fired both employees for violating company dress code when they refused to wear a rainbow heart on their aprons. Both have cited their religious beliefs as the reason for exemption.
Related: Anthony Rapp sues Kevin Spacey for sexual misconduct in the 1980s
The Miami Herald reports both Lawson and Rickerd had made repeated requests to store management to either cover or remove the rainbow symbol. Both had their requests denied, and received disciplinary action from management for violating the store’s dress code. After several incidents, the store fired both employees. Rickerd had worked for Kroger since 2006; Lawson, since 2011.
“Although [Lawson and Rickerd] personally holds no animosity toward the individuals who comprise the LGBTQ community, the practices of that community violate [their] sincerely held religious belief,” the lawsuit reads. “[Lawson and Rickerd] believed wearing the logo showed [their] advocacy of the community, which [they] could not do.”
The lawsuit aims to provide Lawson and Rickerd with back pay and other compensation from their firing. It also requests Kroger set standards for religious freedom in the future.
Earlier this year, the Human Rights Campaign named Kroger one of the best companies to work for as an LGBTQ person, having won a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index.
Paul Nadolski
I’m sorry to inform all these evangelicals, but Jesus said NOTHING about homosexuality. And he never said you should treat people like dirt because they’re different. However, he did say to LOVE one another. (That is, if you believe what’s in the Bible to be true.)
Cam
Their bigots. And hey Republicans, guess what, a store can determine it’s dress code.
Hdtex
****THEY’RE
grammar is fundamental
Mack
Personally I don’t think any business should force their employees to wear anything that goes against their beliefs-religious or not, let alone firing them for not doing do. I do find it hard to believe that a company would force employees to wear anything that relates to the LGBTQ community. If this is so, they will win their lawsuit based on “religious freedom”.
wikidBSTN
NOPE – they will lose. Kroger’s is a private entity and it can regulate what its employees wear or don’t wear at will.
Cam
It’s cute how people like to hide hate and bigotry behind the words “Their beliefs”
Hdtex
Personally I think you’re a moron and a bigot.
TomOH
It’s not even a rainbow.
DarkZephyr
“Although [Lawson and Rickerd] personally holds no animosity toward the individuals who comprise the LGBTQ community, the practices of that community violate [their] sincerely held religious belief,” the lawsuit reads. “[Lawson and Rickerd] believed wearing the logo showed [their] advocacy of the community, which [they] could not do.”
The rainbow symbol has NOTHING to do with our “practices” so this is bull.
Consider This
And this is likewise BULL – ” [Lawson and Rickerd] personally holds no animosity toward the individuals who comprise the LGBTQ community”. Right…
Dimas25
Hi handsome, how are you? There is a desire to relax or meet, I do not need money, we can go together to relax, or just chat online, write to me in the chat bit .ly/2RIIqSh, I’m there more often, waiting (remove the space in the link)
Hdtex
Spamwhores are sad.
Holz
If the rainbow symbol is on the uniform or smock it represents Kroger’s position. On their street clothes it represents theirs. So, Kroger is right and there should be nothing wrong with this. It will be interesting to see how this case ends up in Trump’s America.
wikidBSTN
We won’t – b/c Trump’s America is coming to an end end in about 3.5 months
yah_sure_youbetcha
It’s a right to work state. Right wingers wanted it that way, and so now people can be fired for any reason or no reason. Also, the hobby lobby case established that the beliefs of the company’s decision makers take precedence over the beliefs of the employees. This case will go nowhere. Wanna be a bigot? Fine. Work for a church.
BaltoSteve
Just look at The Effin’ Turtle in the Senate, they don’t care about the fair application of laws, they only care about being the winners, regardless of what is fair or right. And given where this located, I could very easily see it being decided on the side of these mouth breathers.
JessPH
I’ve read about this in other news sites and it turns out that it is not even a rainbow to represent LGBT rights but a different advocacy. Nonetheless, it is company policy and workers must follow it.
sanfranca1
The heart is blue with yellow and red lines around it – hardly a rainbow. Google “kroger apron with rainbow heart” and you will find pictures.
Bromancer7
The thing is, it’s not even an LGBTQ+ symbol, nor is it meant to be. Contrary to popular belief we don’t own all things rainbow-colored.