Fact Check: In April 2025, the EEOC instructed all employees to classify gender identity discrimination complaints as its lowest priority, effectively putting the processing of such complaints on indefinite hold.

Fact Check: "In April 2025, the EEOC instructed all employees to classify gender identity discrimination complaints as its lowest priority, effectively putting the processing of such complaints on indefinite hold."

What We Know

In April 2025, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) did indeed announce a shift in its handling of gender identity discrimination complaints. According to a report by AP News, the agency classified all new gender identity-related discrimination cases as its lowest priority. This categorization is typically reserved for complaints deemed to have little merit. The EEOC's decision aligns with a broader directive from the Biden administration aimed at rolling back policies associated with gender identity protections established during previous administrations.

Further, a letter from House Democrats to the EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas confirms that the agency is expected to process and prioritize gender identity discrimination complaints like all other unlawful discrimination claims, contradicting the claim that these complaints are being sidelined indefinitely (House Democrats Letter).

Analysis

The claim that the EEOC has put gender identity discrimination complaints on "indefinite hold" is misleading. While it is true that the EEOC has classified these complaints as a low priority, this does not equate to a complete halt in processing. The agency is still required to address all complaints, albeit with a different prioritization. The distinction is crucial; classifying complaints as low priority does not mean they are ignored or indefinitely postponed.

Moreover, the source of the claim appears to be politically motivated, as it stems from a narrative that seeks to frame the EEOC's actions as a direct attack on gender identity protections. The reliability of the sources varies; while AP News is generally regarded as a credible news outlet, the framing of the issue by partisan sources may introduce bias. The letter from House Democrats serves as a counterpoint, indicating that the EEOC's actions are not as extreme as the claim suggests (House Democrats Letter, AP News).

Additionally, the EEOC's official communications indicate that while there is a shift in focus, the agency has not ceased to uphold protections against discrimination based on gender identity. The enforcement guidance on harassment in the workplace remains in effect, which includes protections for gender identity under Title VII (Enforcement Guidance).

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that the EEOC instructed all employees to classify gender identity discrimination complaints as its lowest priority, effectively putting the processing of such complaints on indefinite hold, is misleading. While the EEOC has indeed categorized these complaints as low priority, it does not mean they are ignored or indefinitely postponed. The agency is still obligated to process all complaints, and the framing of the issue lacks nuance and context.

Fact Check: In April 2025, the EEOC instructed all employees to classify gender identity discrimination complaints as its lowest priority, effectively putting the processing of such complaints on indefinite hold.