Ohio Highway Patrol Officer Stacey Yerkes has been granted a substantial victory in her legal battle against discrimination based on her gender and sexual identity. A jury’s verdict resulted in Yerkes receiving over $2.6 million in damages and lost wages. The case, highlighted in the Columbus Dispatch, underscores the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals within the law enforcement sector.
Yerkes, who served with the Ohio Highway Patrol from 1994 to 2018, endured a history of abuse and discrimination at the hands of her coworkers and superiors. Her allegations against the Ohio Highway Patrol and four former colleagues shed light on pervasive mistreatment. Yerkes’s claims included being unfairly targeted for minor violations, while male counterparts received leniency for similar actions.
One poignant instance from the trial was Yerkes’s report of being told, upon her hiring, “There has only been one other female here before you, so try not to screw it up and make females look bad.” This sentiment encapsulates the entrenched bias that she and other women encountered in their pursuit of professional advancement.
Notably, Yerkes’s case also exposed the intersection of gender and sexuality discrimination. Her supervisor’s inappropriate response to a coworker’s inquiry about her sexual activity highlighted the lack of sensitivity and respect she faced. Moreover, the inconsistent enforcement of workplace policies, such as those concerning tattoos, further underscored the discriminatory environment.
The verdict, reached after a six-day trial, marked a significant milestone in Yerkes’s fight for justice. This legal triumph, resulting in a substantial financial award, emphasizes the need for continued efforts to address systemic discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. The case serves as a reminder that progress towards equality is far from complete, especially within fields traditionally dominated by a specific gender or demographic.