A federal judge has ordered Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to pay $60,000 to a gay employee after the organization denied health benefits to his husband. The ruling was based on the Maryland Fair Employment Practices Act, with the judge emphasizing that CRS did not qualify for religious exemption since the employee’s work was not directly connected to religious functions. The employee expressed satisfaction with the ruling, viewing it as a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ rights within the workplace and urging CRS to recognize the dignity of same-sex married employees.
"I'm very happy with Judge Rubin's ruling and am honored to be part of such a precedent-setting case that has helped clarify, for employers and employees alike, the legal protections Maryland law provides, especially for LGBTQ+ workers."
"The eligibility provision of CRS's Group Insurance Plan stated that 'dependent[s]' are covered, and the Plan defined '[d]ependent' as 'wife or husband; children to age 26; regardless.'"
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