The Seventh Circuit's decision altered the longstanding pattern of dismissing sexual orientation claims under federal civil rights laws. The Seventh Circuit reasoned that Title VII has and should be interpreted to cover more than just "textbook" sex discrimination wherein an employer refuses to hire a woman because she is a woman, and vice versa. The majority cited to Supreme Court opinions that have expanded its understanding of discrimination "on the basis of sex" to include sexual harassment in the workplace, same-sex harassment, and discrimination based upon failure to conform to gender stereotypes-none of which are explicitly prohibited on the face of the statute.