News
Hearing set in anti-gay bias lawsuit against Exxon Mobil
Fact-finding conference to determine if oil-and-gas giant discriminated in job hiring

A hearing is set for Tuesday over a lawsuit contending anti-gay bias at Exxon Mobil. (Photo of Exxon sign by Ildar Sagdejev, photo of Mobil sign by Terence Ong; courtesy Wikimedia Commons).
An LGBT group that has sued oil-and-gas giant Exxon Mobil on the grounds of alleged anti-gay bias in hiring practices will get its hearing on Tuesday.
In the case of Freedom to Work v. Exxon Mobil, the Illinois agency charged with enforcing state civil rights law has set Oct. 21 at 10:30 am Central Time for a fact-finding conference at Vandalia City Hall, according to a redacted notice from the LGBT group obtained Sunday by the Washington Blade.
It’ll be the first time during the entire controversy that started in 1998 when Exxon merged with Mobil and deleted the company’s LGBT protections that the company has had to answer in a legal proceeding questions about its lack of explicit non-discrimination protections.
In May 2013, Freedom to Work filed a complaint with the Illinois Department of Human Rights alleging Exxon Mobil engaged in anti-gay discrimination in hiring practices for an Illinois job posting, which would be a violation of state law. As restitution, the lawsuit seeks enumerated protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the company’s equal employment opportunity policy.
Although the state initially threw out the lawsuit in January, the case was back on in July after the Illinois Human Rights Commission overturned that decision and remanded the case for additional review.
According to the notice, the fact-finding conference is an investigative forum “intended to define the issues, determine which facts are undisputed, obtain evidence and ascertain where there is a basis for a negotiated settlement of charge.” The investigator assigned to the case is Krista Sherrock, whose contact number information was redacted by Freedom to Work in the notice.
The investigator conducts the fact-finding conference, the notice states, and determines which persons should be present. During the conference, the investigator reads an opening statement as well as the charge and questions the participants.
Both Tico Almeida, president of Freedom to Work, as well representatives of Exxon Mobil — Kimberly Cunningham, who works in the company’s internal legal department, and Dona Steadman, a human resources adviser — are required to appear at the hearing, according to the notice.
As previously reported, the Chicago-based international law firm Seyfarth Shaw is designated as counsel for Exxon Mobil. The case is being handled for the law firm by attorney Gerald Maatman.
Representing Freedom to Work is Peter Romer-Friedman, an attorney with Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC.
“It is encouraging that the Illinois Department of Human Rights is now investigating the merits of Freedom to Work’s discrimination charge,” Romer-Friedman said. “We are confident the evidence will show Exxon broke the law and that Exxon must change its policies so that LGBT workers are no longer subject to harmful discrimination. After a one year delay due to an erroneous dismissal of the case on technical grounds, we look forward to working with the Department to finally hold Exxon accountable.”
Neither Exxon Mobil nor Seyfarth Shaw responded to the Blade’s request to comment on the hearing. A spokesperson for the Illinois Human Rights Department said she was unable to provide to comment on developments of the investigation.
In July, President Obama signed an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, but that directive isn’t expected to take effect until early next year. It remains to be seen whether the executive order or the lawsuit will be responsible for compelling Exxon Mobil to include LGBT protections in its non-discrimination policy.
Australia
Australian prime minister re-elected
Anthony Albanese marched in 2023 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday won re-election.
Albanese’s Labor Party defeated the Liberal Party that Peter Dutton led.
Dutton, who lost his seat in parliament, quickly conceded to Albanese, who is the first Australian prime minister to win re-election in 21 years. Foreign Minister Penny Wong, a lesbian who represents South Australia in the Australian Senate, on Saturday introduced Albanese at his victory party.
“Today the Australian people have voted for Australian values; for fairness, aspiration, and opportunity for all, for the strength to show courage in adversity, and kindness to those in need,” said Albanese. “Australians have voted for a future that holds true to these values.”
(9News Australia)
Albanese has been prime minister since 2022. In 2023 he became the first Australian prime minister to march in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
Voters re-elected Albanese less than a week after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberal Party won the country’s federal election. The Trump-Vance administration’s global tariffs are among the issues that factored into both country’s votes.
“Congratulations to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his victory in Australia’s federal election,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio on X. “Australia is a valued U.S. friend and a close partner.”
“We look forward to continuing to promote freedom and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the world,” he added.
Virginia
Va. LG opposed marriage equality affirmation bill in handwritten note
Winsome Earle-Sears constitutionally required to sign HB 174 as Senate president

Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears last year in a handwritten note indicated her opposition to marriage rights for same-sex couples when she signed a bill that affirmed marriage equality in the state.
Brandon Jarvis of Virginia Scope on May 1 published Earle-Sears’s note on House Bill 174, which state Del. Rozia Henson, a Prince William County Democrat who is gay, introduced.
The Virginia Senate passed HB 174 by a 22-17 vote margin, and the state constitution required Earle-Sears to sign it as the chamber’s president. Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed the measure into law after it received bipartisan support.
“As the lieutenant governor, I recognize and respect my constitutional obligation to adhere to procedures set out in the constitution of Virginia,” wrote Earle-Sears in her note. “However, I remain morally opposed to the content of HB 174 as passed by the General Assembly.”
Earle-Sears, a former U.S. Marine who served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002-2004, in 2021 became the first woman elected Virginia’s lieutenant governor. Activists have criticized her for her opposition to LGBTQ rights in Virginia.
She sparked controversy last year when she misgendered state Sen. Danica Roem (D-Manassas), who is transgender, on the Senate floor. Earle-Sears has also spoken at the Conservative Political Action Conference.
Earle-Sears is running to succeed Youngkin as governor once his term ends in January 2026. She will likely face former U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat who previously represented Virginia’s 7th Congressional District.
John Reid, a conservative talk show host who is openly gay, last month secured the Republican nomination to succeed Earle-Sears as lieutenant governor. Youngkin has called for Reid to end his campaign amid reports that he posted “pornographic content” on social media.
Reid has strongly denied the reports.
World Pride 2025
D.C. liquor board extends drinking hours for WorldPride
Gay bars, other liquor-serving establishments can stay open 24 hours

D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Board, which regulates liquor sales for the city’s bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and other establishments licensed to serve alcoholic beverages, has approved extended hours for alcohol service and sales during the days when most WorldPride events will be held in the nation’s capital.
In a May 2 announcement, the Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Administration, which works with the board, said the extended liquor serving and sales hours for WorldPride will take place beginning Friday, May 30, through 4 a.m. Monday, June 9.
Although the official schedule for WorldPride events shows the events will take place May 17-June 8, most of the large events, including a two-day Pride street festival, parade, and concert, were expected to take place between May 30 and June 8.
According to the ABCA announcement and an ABCA spokesperson, liquor servicing establishments with the appropriate license can stay open for 24 hours and serve alcoholic beverages from 6 a.m. through the day and evening until 4 a.m., with no liquor sales allowed from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. during the May 30-June 9 period.
The ABCA announcement says liquor serving establishments must apply for the extended hours option and pay a $100 registration fee by a deadline on May 27.
Sources familiar with the liquor board have said the board has for many years approved the extension of liquor serving and sales hours for important events and for certain holidays such as New Year’s Eve.
At the time it approved the extended hours for WorldPride the liquor board also approved extended hours during the time when games for a World Cup soccer tournament will be held in the city on June 18, June 22, and June 26.
It couldn’t immediately be determined how many of D.C.’s 22 LGBTQ bars plan to apply for the extended drinking hours. David Perruzza, owner of the Adams Morgan gay bar Pitchers and its adjoining lesbian bar A League of Her Own, said he will apply for the 4 a.m. extended hours option but he does not intend to keep the two bars open for the full 23 hours.
Under the city’s current alcoholic beverage regulations, licensed liquor serving establishments may serve alcoholic beverages until 2 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends.
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