Are LGBTQ workers protected by the Civil Rights Act? Supreme Court will decide

A sign welcomes visitors to the front steps of the Supreme Court in Washington. The Court will hear arguments on LGBTQ workers' rights, Oct. 8, 2019 (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear a trio of cases regarding LGBTQ workers' rights as they pertain to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Under Title VII, workplace discrimination "on the basis of sex" is prohibited, and the ruling from the Supreme Court will determine whether LGBTQ individuals, particularly those who are transgender, are covered under these rules.

CQ Roll Call's Legal Affairs staff writer Todd Ruger explains how we got here, and what factors may go into the court's ruling.