Frye v. Future Inns of America-Huntington, Inc.

(Filed July 3, 2002)

This Court once referred to the Human Rights Act as “strong medicine to cure the social maladies of intentional and unnecessary” discrimination. Skaggs v. Elk Run Coal Co., 198 W.Va. 51, 64, 479 S.E.2d 561, 574 (1996). In light of the majority’s opinion, I believe this phrase no longer rings true.

I dissent because I believe that the majority opinion’s interpretation of the Act has undercut the ability of the Human Rights Commission to effectively address discrimination. More directly, I believe that the majority opinion’s interpretation has seriously undermined the…