Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/19pdf/17-1618_hfci.pdf
Page Number: 160

16 

BOSTOCK v. CLAYTON COUNTY 

KAVANAUGH, J., dissenting 

The proposed bills are telling not because they are rele-
vant to congressional intent regarding Title VII.  See Cen-
tral Bank of Denver, N. A. v. First Interstate Bank of Den-
ver,  N. A.,  511  U. S.  164,  186–188  (1994).  Rather,  the 
proposed  bills  are  telling  because  they,  like  the  enacted 
laws, further demonstrate the widespread usage of the Eng-
lish language in the United States: Sexual orientation dis-
crimination is distinct from, and not a form of, sex discrim-
ination. 

Presidential Executive Orders reflect that same common 
understanding.  In 1967, President Johnson signed an Ex-
ecutive Order prohibiting sex discrimination in federal em-
ployment.  In 1969, President Nixon issued a new order that 
did  the  same.  Exec.  Order  No.  11375,  3  CFR  684  (1966–
1970 Comp.); Exec. Order No. 11478, id., at 803.  In 1998, 
President Clinton charted a new path and signed an Exec-
utive  Order  prohibiting  sexual  orientation  discrimination 
in federal employment.  Exec. Order No. 13087, 3 CFR 191 
(1999).  The Nixon and Clinton Executive Orders remain in 
effect today. 

—————— 
attachment”); S. 1708, 97th Cong., 1st Sess., §§1, 2 (1981) (“inserting af-
ter ‘sex’ . . . ‘sexual orientation,’ ” defined as “ ‘homosexuality, heterosex-
uality, and bisexuality’ ”); H. R. 230, 99th Cong., 1st Sess., §§4, 8 (1985) 
(“inserting after ‘sex,’ . . . ‘affectional or sexual orientation,’ ” defined as 
“homosexuality,  heterosexuality,  and  bisexuality”);  S.  47,  101st  Cong.,
1st  Sess.,  §§5,  9  (1989)  (“inserting  after  ‘sex,’  . . .  ‘affectional  or  sexual 
orientation,’ ” defined as “homosexuality, heterosexuality, and bisexual-
ity”); H. R. 431, 103d Cong., 1st Sess., §2 (1993) (prohibiting discrimina-
tion “on account of . . . sexual orientation” without definition); H. R. 1858,
105th Cong., 1st Sess., §§3, 4 (1997) (prohibiting discrimination “on the
basis  of  sexual  orientation,”  defined  as  “homosexuality,  bisexuality,  or 
heterosexuality”); H. R. 2692, 107th Cong., 1st Sess., §§3, 4 (2001) (pro-
hibiting  discrimination  “because  of  . . .  sexual  orientation,”  defined  as 
“homosexuality,  bisexuality,  or  heterosexuality”);  H. R.  2015,  110th 
Cong., 1st Sess., §§3, 4 (2007) (prohibiting discrimination “because of . . . 
sexual orientation,” defined as “homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisex-
uality”); S. 811, 112th Cong., 1st Sess., §§3, 4  (2011) (same).