On Wednesday, June 5, 2019, Wigdor LLP filed a sexual orientation discrimination and retaliation lawsuit on behalf of Plaintiff William Jarrad Littleton against Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (“Goldman Sachs” or the “Bank”). The lawsuit alleges that Goldman Sachs systemically fails to protect its LGBTQ+ employees from unlawful discrimination and retaliation in the workplace.
Mr. Littleton, a former Vice President at the Bank who is gay and Latino, was hired by Goldman Sachs as an Analyst immediately after graduating college in 2010, and received several promotions throughout his tenure at the Bank. Mr. Littleton also held several leadership positions in Goldman Sachs’s “LGBT Network” and was one of the strongest advocates of LGBTQ+ inclusion at the Bank.
As alleged, Goldman Sachs abruptly fired Mr. Littleton in 2018 after he complained to Employee Relations (“ER”) that he had been subjected to numerous incidents of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, including being excluded from a client call because “he sounded too gay” and being asked by a supervisor, “What’s wrong with you? Do you act this way because you’re gay?”
Wall Street must do a better job of creating an environment that supports and accepts LGBTQ+ employees. Wigdor LLP has filed a lawsuit alleging that @GoldmanSachs fired an 8-year employee in retaliation for complaints of sexual orientation discrimination. https://t.co/LzOIY96fNH
— WigdorLaw (@WigdorLaw) June 5, 2019
Mr. Littleton is represented by Wigdor LLP Founding Partner Douglas H. Wigdor, and Partner David E. Gottlieb.
Statement from David E. Gottlieb, Partner at Wigdor LLP:
“Wall Street continues to struggle to create an environment that is inclusive and accepting of LGBTQ+ employees. Mr. Littleton’s experiences demonstrate that Goldman Sachs in particular has failed to embrace this important responsibility. We intend to send a message to all businesses in New York, and Goldman in particular, that this type of treatment towards LGBTQ+ employees will not be tolerated.”
Bloomberg
“Goldman Sued by Gay Vice President Claiming Discrimination”
June 5, 2019
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The Daily Beast
“Goldman Sachs VP Told He ‘Sounded Too Gay’ for Clients, Lawsuit Claims”
June 5, 2019
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The Guardian
“Goldman Sachs sued by gay ex-senior employee over discrimination claims”
June 5, 2019
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ABC News
“Former exec sues Goldman Sachs after allegedly being fired for being ‘too gay'”
June 5, 2019
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New York Law Journal
“Ex-Goldman Sachs VP Claims He Was Fired for Raising Concerns About Anti-Gay Bias”
June 5, 2019
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New York Business Journal
“Former Goldman Sachs VP says bank discriminated against him because he’s gay”
June 5, 2019
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New York Daily News
“Gay ex-Goldman Sachs veep sues firm for discrimination”
June 5, 2019
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Gothamist
“Goldman Sachs Sued By Former Executive Alleging Anti-Gay Discrimination”
June 5, 2019
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CNBC
“Goldman Sachs sued by gay former executive who alleges sexual orientation discrimination”
June 5, 2019
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Financial Times
“Goldman Sachs sued over allegations of homophobia”
June 5, 2019
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Institutional Investor
“Goldman Slapped With Discrimination Suit By Gay Former Vice President”
June 5, 2019
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Law360
“Ex-Goldman Analyst Links Firing To Homophobia Complaints”
June 5, 2019
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New York Post
“Ex-Goldman Sachs VP told he ‘sounded too gay’ by co-workers sues firm”
June 5, 2019
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Patch
“Goldman Sachs VP Fired After Being Told He ‘Sounds Too Gay’: Suit”
June 5, 2019
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Daily Mail
“Goldman Sachs ‘rising star’ who was told ‘he sounded too gay to be on a call’ files lawsuit”
June 5, 2019
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