Local LGBTQ community members react to Supreme Court ruling

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday says the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects the LGBTQ community from job discrimination.

We caught up with Christine Smallwood with the LGBTQ Center of Bay County who tells us she was fired from her job in 2017 after coming out with her wife. After hearing about the Supreme Court's decision, Smallwood tells us she’s overwhelmed with joy.

“It allows me to look at my wife and know I have nothing to be ashamed of,” Smallwood said. “I can look at my child and tell her, 'this is what the law says in this country we are equal, and there is nothing wrong with this.' It really does mean a lot.”

Smallwood said she hopes it inspires other Americans to know they can love who they want to love and work where they want to work, without consequences.