Loeffelholz v. University of Washington

¶1 In 2006 the legislature amended the Washington Law Against Discrimination (WLAD), chapter 49.60 RCW, to include sexual orientation as a protected class. After the amendment, Debra Loeffelholz sued the University of Washington and her superior, James Luke-hart (collectively University), for discrimination based on sexual orientation. She alleges the sexual-orientation-based discrimination created a hostile work environment based on a series of preamendment acts and one potentially postamendment act. This case presents two related issues on appeal: (1) whether the WLAD amendment applies…