Many companies have become sensitized to the LGBT movement in the workplace. Policies to ensure the workplace is free of discrimination is important and proactive. Sexual orientation coverage, although not covered under Title VII perse, it is still discriminatory in practice to not hire, not promote or to consider someone of a different sexual orientaion.
Sexual orientation discrimination does not fall under Title VII, though there has been serious talk about whether or not it should or whether or not it does in part. Title VII is a federal document that is in place in order to ensure that employers do not discriminate against individuals based on their race, religion, color, national origin, age, or sex. Title VII applies to companies in states across the country as well and is in effect for those individuals that are current employees, potential future employees and even past employees.
There was a case that was taken to the Supreme Court in 1998 with regards to sexual orientation discrimination and its potential place in Title VII. The name of the case was Oncale v. Sundowner...