Tag: executive order

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President Obama signs executive order banning LGBT discrimination by federal contractors

This morning, President Obama signed an executive order banning discrimination in the workplace against LGBT employees of the federal government and federal contractors.

The executive order adds sexual orientation and gender identity to an existing executive order that already protects employees of federal contractors based on race, religion, color, sex or national origin.

The amended executive order is comprised of two components. The first makes it illegal to fire or harass employees of federal contractors based on sexual orientation or gender identity. That provision will not go into effect until next year.

 The second component bans discrimination against transgender employees of the federal government. This becomes effective immediately.

“America’s federal contracts should not subsidize discrimination against the American people,” Obama said during remarks at the White House just before signing the order. “I’m going to do what I can with the authority I have to act.”

There are approximately 28 million employees of contractors who work with the federal government.

Watch below as President Obama signs executive orders banning discrimination against LGBT employees in the federal workplace.

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President Obama to sign executive orders protecting LGBT workers on Monday

According to reports, President Obama will sign amended executive orders on Monday prohibiting federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity WITHOUT new exemptions sought by religious groups.

 From EdgeOnTheNet:

Obama’s action comes on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the Hobby Lobby case that allowed some religiously oriented businesses to opt out of the federal health care law’s requirement that contraception coverage be provided to workers at no extra charge. Senior administration officials said Friday that ruling has no impact on non-discrimination policies in federal hiring and contracting.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the plans publicly.

Since Obama announced last month that he would sign the orders, he’s faced pressure from opposing flanks over the religious exemption and given no indication of where he would come down. Many religious leaders and conservative groups wanted him to exempt religious organizations from the order, while liberal clergy and gay advocacy groups adamantly opposed such an exemption.

The changes could affect as many as 28 million workers

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John Boehner can’t even explain why House GOP wants to “sue” the President

Speaker of the House John Boehner

In an uneven and poorly ghostwritten Op-Ed for CNN, Speaker of the House John Boehner tries and fails to explain why House Republicans plan to sue President Obama for his “lawlessness” – i.e. his use of executive orders to get the work of the people done.

After calling President Obama’s use of executive orders “egregious in quantity,” Boehner forgets to mention that President George W. Bush issued 291 executive orders versus Obama’s total of 182. Hard to be excessive when the “other guy” signed a whole lot more, Mr. Boehner. As a matter of fact, most modern-day presidents have issued more executive orders than Mr. Obama.

And the House Speaker says that the President’s policies have hurt the US economy. Another difficult charge to make just a day or so after the June jobs report showed over 288,000 new jobs created last month, and unemployment falling to five year lows. This is “hurting the economy?” Imagine what Boehner thinks about the stock market which has doubled under President Obama. Oh, the horror!

Even Erick Erickson of the conservative blog RedState sees through the smoke and mirrors, and advises House Republicans to get to work instead of waste taxpayer money on a frivolous “lawsuit:”

John Boehner’s lawsuit is nothing more than political theater and a further Republican waste of taxpayer dollars. If the Republican leaders in the House are too chicken to use their constitutional powers to rein in the President, they should just call it a day and go home.

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Labor Secretary Tom Perez on executive order banning workplace discrimination for transgender individuals

President Obama listens as Labor Secretary Tom Perez speaks at the White House

Labor Secretary Tom Perez on the soon to be issued executive order banning discrimination based on gender identity for employees of federal contractors:

As we celebrate Pride Month and approach the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, the Labor Department is reaffirming its commitment to equal opportunity for all. That’s why we are updating enforcement protocols and anti-discrimination guidance to clarify that we provide the full protection of the federal non-discrimination laws that we enforce to transgender individuals.

These changes reflect current law. In Macy v. Holder, for example, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission concluded that discrimination because a person is transgender is sex discrimination in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Civil Rights Center, along with the Employment and Training Administration, will issue guidance to make clear that discrimination on the basis of transgender status is discrimination based on sex.

While the department has long protected employees from sex-based discrimination, its guidance to workers and employers will explicitly clarify that this includes workers who identify as transgender. The department will continue to examine its programs to identify additional pportunities to extend the law’s full protection against discrimination to transgender workers.

Our workforce and our entire economy are strongest when we embrace diversity to its fullest, and that means opening doors of opportunity to everyone and recognizing that the American Dream excludes no one.

(via press release)

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President Obama surprises LGBT White House reception guests with gender identity executive order

Today, as President and Michelle Obama welcomed notable LGBT media figures to the White House to celebrate Pride Month, the President surprised many during his remarks by announcing a NEW executive order banning discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of not only sexual orientation, but gender identity as well.

See below from White House transcript:

“We’ve still got a little more work to do. I’ve repeatedly called on Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Right now, there are more states that let same-sex couples get married than there are states who prohibit discrimination against their LGBT workers. We have laws that say Americans can’t be fired on the basis of the color of their skin or their religion, or because they have a disability. But every day, millions of Americans go to work worried that they could lose their job -– not because of anything they’ve done — (baby cries) — I know, it’s terrible — (laughter) — but because of who they are. It’s upsetting. It is wrong.

“The majority of Fortune 500 companies already have nondiscrimination policies to protect their employees because it’s the right thing to do and because many say it helps to retain and attract the best talent. And I agree. So if Congress won’t act, I will. I have directed my staff to prepare an executive order for my signature that prohibits discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. (Applause.)

“And I’ve asked my staff to prepare a second executive order so that federal employees –- who are already protected on the basis of sexual orientation –- will now formally be protected from discrimination based on gender identity as well. (Applause.)

“So we’ve got a lot to be proud of, but obviously we can’t grow complacent. We’ve got to defend the progress that we’ve made. We’ve got to keep on reaching out to LGBT Americans who are vulnerable and alone, and need our support –- whether it’s teenagers in rough situations to seniors who are struggling to find housing and care. (Baby cries.) I know, it’s tough. (Laughter.)”

You can watch his speech in the video below. You may need to move to the 15:00 mark.

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Tony Perkins plays the ‘bad loser’ over LGBT Executive Order

Tony Perkins writing for the anti-gay hate group Family Research Council:

“After 30 days of nonstop, in-your-face celebration, the White House is capping off ‘gay pride’ month with its biggest gift yet. Next Monday, the pot of gold at the end of this President’s rainbow is an executive order giving special workplace benefits to the sexually confused.

“For the far-Left, it caps off a long fight to get the administration to do what Congress has not: order employers to put aside their profits, principles, and practices in the name of political correctness.

“The President’s order implementing part of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) — once considered ‘too radical’ even for his own party — forces government contractors and subcontractors to hire gays, lesbians, transvestites, and transsexuals — regardless of their legally protected morals.

“This level of coercion is nothing less than viewpoint blackmail — and from the federal government no less!”

You’ll note how Perkins calls President Obama’s executive order calling for federal contractors to treat LGBT folks with dignity “special workplace benefits.”

And he refers to the gays as “sexually confused.”

ENDA is hardly “too radical” for the President’s own party – the US Senate passed the legislation months ago in a bipartisan fashion.

What Perkins can’t handle is the fact that those he openly disdains are slowly but surely finding their way to equality.  And he can’t stop it.

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President Obama: No apology for executive orders while Congress does nothing

President Obama’s response to GOP Speaker of the House John Boehner announcing his intention to sue the President for issuing executive orders to help move the country forward in light of the current “do nothing” Congress.

Bravo, Mr. President.  The American people want action, not stagnation.

It should be noted that President George W. Bush issued far more executive orders during his administration than during Obama’s, and the Republicans had NO problem with that.

I wonder why…?

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President Obama announces LGBT workplace protections executive order at NYC fundraiser

Earlier this week, President Obama spoke at a Democratic LGBT Fundraiser in New York City where he announced the news that he will be signing an executive order aimed at federal contractors and banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Via the Los Angeles Times:

After taking the stage at the Democratic National Committee fundraiser, Obama had to wait for at least a minute for the shouting to die down before he could start speaking. A few minutes later, he delivered in person the news his team made public earlier in the week: that he has ordered them to draft an executive order aimed at federal contractors and banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

If some lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender Democrats had been dismayed with the president for his long wait before issuing the order, they were over it Tuesday. “Sometimes you guys were a little impatient,” Obama joked. “Sometimes I had to say, ‘Will you just settle down for a second?'”

From the President’s speech via White House press release:

This is a country where no matter who you are, or what you look like, or how you came up, or what your last name is, or who you love — if you work hard and you take responsibility, you should be able to make it.

That’s the story of America. That’s the story of this movement: People who stand up and come out and march, and organize, and fight to expand the rights we enjoy and extend them to other people — people who work against the odds to build a nation in which nobody is a second-class citizen, everybody is free to be who they are; and that you’re judged based on are you kind and competent and work hard, and treat each other with respect, and are a team player and look after your community, and care and love and cherish your kids.

That’s how we’re supposed to be judged. That’s the fight that brought all of us here today. That’s what made it possible for me to stand up here as your President. It’s what gave many people in this room the freedom to live their lives freely. It’s what should inspire us to keep working to make sure all our children grow up in an America where differences are respected and even celebrated, and where love is love.

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President Obama to sign executive order banning LGBT discrimination by federal contractors

President Obama plans to sign an executive order protecting LGBT employees of federal contractors from discrimination.

Via press release:

“This is a major step forward in the struggle for freedom and justice for LGBTQ workers and their families. Now millions of people will have the economic security they need to provide for their families.

“Through his actions, the President has demonstrated again his commitment to ending discrimination. We thank all the organizations who have worked so hard to make this piece of history. This decision is good for LGBTQ people, good for our economy and good for America.

“Unfortunately, many of us who don’t work for federal contractors will still lack workplace protections. Now we must redouble our efforts for the urgent passage of state employment protections and strong federal legislation.”

From Chris Geidner at Buzzfeed:

The Obama administration has maintained in the past that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is its preferred path for LGBT workplace protections, but Monday’s announcement signals an acknowledgement that, despite Senate passage last fall, the bill is not likely to move in the House this year.

From the Human Rights Campaign:

The executive order will prohibit companies that contract with the federal government from discriminating in employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Federal contractors employ more than 20 percent of the American workforce – 28 million workers — and collect around $500 billion in federal contracts every year. According to the Williams Institute, an executive order would protect 11 million more American workers from discrimination based on sexual orientation and up to 16.5 million more workers based on gender identity.

Notably, the proposed executive order will require Exxon Mobil Corporation, a top federal contractor that draws hundreds of millions annually in federal contracts, to provide non-discrimination protections to its LGBT employees and prospective hires. Yet ExxonMobil has consistently resisted these kinds of protections. Earlier this month, ExxonMobil’s shareholders voted for the 17th time to reject a policy that would prohibit discrimination against LGBT workers.

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Vice-President Biden doesn’t see a “downside” to executive order banning anti-LGBT discrimination in workplace

Vice President Joe Biden says he sees no disadvantage to a presidential executive order banning anti-LGBT discrimination by federal contractors.

Could this be a prologue to the President issuing such an executive order?

Asked by The Huffington Post this week about his feelings on such an order, Biden said, “I don’t see any downside.” Activists have urged the president to issue such an order, saying it would provide protection to a large population of LGBT workers — all those working for companies doing business with the federal government — while antidiscrimination legislation remains pending in Congress. Obama has resisted so far, saying the legislative route is the better way to go.

Biden agreed that legislation is preferable, as it would cover a larger number of workers, but in saying there’s nothing to lose with an executive order, he may be dropping hints that the president is about to sign one — or perhaps providing the catalyst for him to do so.

Remember it was Biden’s statement of support for marriage equality two years ago that preceded Obama’s by just a few days.

Things that make you go “hmm…”

(source)