---
title: Law360 Quotes Partner Mark A. Konkel on Protecting Gay Workers
date: 2014-06-20T00:00:00-04:00
author: Import Bot
canonical_url: "https://www.kelleydrye.com/news/law360-quotes-partner-mark-a-konkel-on-protecting-gay-workers"
section: News
---
# Law360 Quotes Partner Mark A. Konkel on Protecting Gay Workers

 June 20, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partner [Mark A. Konkel](/Our-People/Mark-A-Konkel) was quoted in the *Law360* article, ​“Protecting Gay Workers A Best Practice, DOJ Report Shows.” The article discusses a U.S. Department of Justice report detailing new benefits for married same-sex couples and showing that employers would be wise to treat sexual orientation like race, gender or any other characteristic protected by federal anti-discrimination law. Mr. Konkel stated that ​“for all intents and purposes, employers really do need to treat sexual orientation as a protected category or, at the very least, proceed very cautiously if they choose not to.” The article notes that a series of incremental changes, both in how states and the federal government approach same-sex marriage and gay rights in the workplace, as well as case law dealing with gender stereotyping claims under Title VII, have now reached a ​“critical mass,” as described by Mr. Konkel.

 

 

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