Supreme Court Asks Clinton Administration's Advice on Same Sex-Harassment Suit

The Supreme Court has asked the Clinton Administration to consider whether or not same-sex harassment violates federal law. The Court has put on hold a decision of whether or not to hear a case involving a man allegedly harassed by his male co-workers and supervisor at an oil rig until it hears an opinion from the Justice Department. Joseph Onacle alleges that his direct supervisor, John Lyons, and another supervisor, Danny Pippen, sexually harassed and threatened to rape him while he worked at the Sundowner Offshore Services oil rig. Though he reported the incidents to the companies top level officials, no action was taken. A federal judge throw out the case, stating that same-sex harassment is not covered by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal of the case, Oncale vs. Sundowner Offshore Services last May.

Media Resources: USA Today - December 17, 1996

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