A/N: Here we go! Enjoy and remember to review!
September 8, 2013 – Santana Lopez headed to court with manager Quinn Fabray and lawyer Blaine Anderson
"Ms. Lopez how are you feeling?" One reporter asks, and for some reason I stop in my tracks and actually answer him.
"I feel nothing but confident, and it is all because I am here for a reason other than my own pride. I mean sure I want to but that son of a bitch in his place, but I am also here because no one should have to go through what I did. No one should lose their job or even be demoted because of who they love. America is changing and it is time for people, and corporations to accept that. I am here to be a role model and stand up for the rights of my fellow LGBT Americans."
He gives me a quick smile and a thank you as Quinn pulls me into the courthouse.
It's the truth by the way. I'm not nervous. I mean it would be weird if I was considering Brittany and I have been staying up late, talking about it. She's so amazing, she sits with me and talks me through the nerves and the fear until all that's left is the desire for justice. I don't know what I would do without her and I hope and pray to god every day that I never find out.
Blaine walks in first followed by Quinn and then me. I take my seat between the two at the desk set up for us and Blaine goes about reviewing the case notes he made. I lean over to Quinn who looks like she might pass out.
"Why are you so shifty today Fabray?" I whisper quietly.
"I don't like courthouses, to many bad memories." She says, her voice laced with nerves.
Of course. I completely forgot that this might be somewhat hard for Quinn. She has so many bad memories in court, starting with her parents' divorce when she was six. She had to testify in court as to which she would rather live with. She picked her mom but things never went back to the way they were between the two. The relationship was strained, it didn't feel like mother-daughter anymore, Quinn said it just felt like two roommates passing each other from time to time. And then of course there is the whole Beth thing. When Quinn was in high school, Puck got her pregnant (they later worked their shit out don't worry). Anyway Quinn decided to put the baby, Beth, up for adoption, which meant she had to go to the courthouse, where she basically signed away her baby. Quinn had been through some tough shit in courthouses, I don't blame her for being nervous.
"Q I am so sorry. I didn't even think about how you would feel being here, if you need to leave I completely understand…"
"No,no, no. No there is no way in hell that I am leaving. This is important. This isn't just about you anymore; this is about making life better, easier, and fairer for all gay people. I need to be here, witnessing history. I just wish I could stop thinking about my mom and Beth."
I reached over for Quinn's hand and squeezed it gently, she looked over at me and smiled lightly as I let go.
It took about ten more minutes before Font and his team arrived. Shortly after that the bailiff came out and said:
"All rise for the honorable Judge Swain."
I rose quickly from my seat and wiped my now sweaty hands on my slacks. Blaine looked over at me and gave me an "it's all good, I've got this" look.
The judge tells us to have a seat as he runs through the basic outlines of the case. Once he's done he turns to Blaine and gives him the go ahead for his opening statement. Blaine stands up buttons his suit jacket and starts:
"Your honor, my client feels as though she was discriminated against time and time again by Tennman Records producer Jim Font. Most recently the company was planning on dropping her based on her sexual orientation. Ms. Lopez feels she has a responsibility to stand up for herself and her fellow LGBT Americans against workplace discrimination. We implore you to rule in favor of equal rights in the workplace."
"Thank you Mr. Anderson."
The rest of the trial went by in a blur of questions and objections. Quinn, Rachel, and I all took the witness stand and testified against Font. Rob even came and testified against him as well. We asked Justin to testify but I guess he decided not to show.
"I guess he decided he couldn't testify against someone in his own company" Quinn said leaning over to me. I nodded and tried to hide my disappointment. For some reason I honestly thought he would do this for me.
I noticed Blaine had been pulled aside briefly. I watched as he returned to the desk.
"You honor we have one more witness we would like to bring to the stand."
"Very well."
"I now call to the stand, Justin Timberlake, founder, owner and CEO of Tennman Records."
I look back towards the door and watch Justin walk towards the witness' stand. He takes a seat as Blaine walks around the desk to stand in front of Justin.
"Mr. Timberlake would you say Ms. Lopez's claims of discrimination are crediable?"
"Yes."
"Why? Did you ever witness this discrimination yourself?"
"Yes, there were times when I too felt as though Ms. Lopez was not being given chances that Mr. Font usually presents to other artists,"
"Do you feel as though Ms. Lopez is correct in saying that she was discriminated against based on her sexual orientation?"
"Yes."
"Are you aware of any instances in which Mr. Font might have displayed any homophobic tendencies?"
"Yes."
"Is it true as previously testified by members of your office that Mr. Font has been known to make homophobic jokes and comments in the office?"
"Yes."
"Is it true that Mr. Font urged your board of directors to cut short Ms. Lopez's first headlining tour, thus making it only a United States tour?"
"Yes, I opposed the notion but the board voted in Mr. Font's favor to end the tour."
"Is it also true that Mr. Font had been pushing to have Ms. Lopez fired, even to go so far as to bring in an ally to replace the recently retired Rob Knox?"
"Yes. After Rob retired, Jim pushed the board to approve his pick for the new producer which they did."
"So you would say there were plans in motion to fire Ms. Lopez?"
"Yes."
"And was the motivation to fire her in any way related to her ability as a performer?"
"No."
"Did you wish to fire Ms. Lopez?"
"No."
"Would you agree with Ms. Lopez that Mr. Font very obviously discriminated against Ms. Lopez based on her sexual orientation?"
"Yes."
"Thank you Mr. Timberlake."
*An hour later*
"The court has decided to rule in favor of Ms. Lopez. This means that Tennman Records will be put on the state's list of businesses that need to be monitored for workplace discrimination. In addition members from the California Association for Equal Rights in the Workplace will be meeting with CEO Justin Timberlake in order to help him deal with the internal discrimination issues currently present at his record label. In addition Mr. Lopez will receive 100,000 in legal compensation. Case closed."