White House Rejects LGBT Employment Non-Discrimination Executive Order

An executive order that bans federal contractors from discriminating against their LGBT employees has been rejected by the Obama administration. The news comes via Human Rights Campaign director Joe Solomonese, who was quoted today by Metro Weekly.

"Earlier today, we were told that the Administration is not ready to move forward with a federal contractor nondiscrimination executive order at this time," Solmonese said. "We are extremely disappointed with this decision and will continue to advocate for an executive order from the president. The unfortunate truth is that hard-working Americans can be fired simply for being gay or transgender. Given the number of employees that would be covered by this executive order, it represents a critical step forward." The move is a blow to advocates, many of whom had been pushing for action over the past several months. Tico Almeida, the founder of Freedom to Work, had told Metro Weekly repeatedly that he was confident the president would sign such an order -- by this June at the latest.

According to some sources quoted in the above-linked story, the order is not expected to be approved before the November election.

UPDATE: The ACLU reacts.

“There is a well-established record documenting employment discrimination against LGBT Americans based on their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Ian Thompson, ACLU legislative representative. “The ACLU continues to view this executive order as the single most important step President Obama could take this year to eradicate LGBT discrimination from our country’s workplaces. It is extremely disappointing that the administration has apparently decided to delay doing so.”