Asheville woman said she was fired because of her sexual orientation

As the U.S. Supreme Courttries to decide whether to change the definition of sexin the workplace, advocates in Asheville said they are watching closely.

On Monday, justices heard opening arguments for three cases.

Each relates to Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits workplace discrimination based on sex.

Among those watching was one woman who said she was fired in Asheville earlier this year because of her sexual orientation.

"Just after the new year, I was called into the office and I was told that I just didn’t fit," said the woman, who wanted to remain anonymous.

It was the first time she was ever fired, and she said she was fired for who she was.

"If you’re going to turn me loose, if you’re going to terminate me, then say it’s because I made mistakes but not because I’m different," she said.

She said she endured months of torment from two of her managers after they found out she went to a pride festival.

"It was nonstop, it was nonstop the whole time," she said.

She said she would wake up with panic attacks before work.

"Being called 'you people,' 'snowflake liberal,' but I think the 'you people' term really struck me," the woman said.

She said she couldn't believe it was happening in the city she was so excited to move to.

"That happened here in Asheville of all places," she said.

Advocates said it's something many people face.

"Everyone has a sexual orientation. It's just for some reason our laws treat those of us who are gay and lesbian differently. Everyone has a gender identity, just for some reason our laws treat those of who are trans differently," said the Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality.

Twenty-one states specifically prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Two states have explicitly interpreted existing laws prohibiting sex discrimination to include the protections.

North Carolina is one of 26 with no protections.

"Almost half of LGBTQ people remain closeted in there work environments, and we’re closeted because you’re afraid of what will happen when you come out," Beach-Ferrara said.

The woman News 13 spoke with said she wished she didn't have to conceal her identity.

"I’m hiding behind a tree, my voice is being changed. That’s not freedom of speech. That’s not freedom of speech at all," she said.

Advocates said if protections aren't put in place, they said the fear will only grow.

"Well, what's going to happen is that a lot of those small companies that feel like they can treat people the way they want to, they’re going to screen people, they’re going to fire people because of who they love," the anonymous woman said.

Buncombe County and the city of Asheville explicitly prohibit discrimination of sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace.

The Supreme Court is expected to have a ruling by early summer next year.