The Supreme Court showdown over LGBTQ discrimination, explained

On the surface, the stakes in this case seem enormous. In reality, they’re even larger.

The Supreme Court will hear three cases next Tuesday that ask whether it is legal to fire workers because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. That alone is enough to make them three of the most important employment discrimination cases in many years. But there are additional layers to these cases, layers that could imperil all workers regardless of whether or not they are LGBTQ.

The defendants’ arguments would reopen long-settled legal arguments, potentially...