President Obama’s Historic Executive Order

Our very own Advocacy & Organizing Director, John Smallwood, was in attendance today at the signing of President Obama’s historic executive order that prohibits federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Order also ensures 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.

At a critical time for our nation’s economy, we need all of our workers to be focused on making the most of their talent, skill, and ingenuity, rather than worrying about losing their job due to discrimination. Discrimination is not just wrong, it also can keep qualified workers from maximizing their potential to contribute to the strengthening of our economy.

For the first time in history, federal contractors can no longer discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and transgender employees in the federal civil service are explicitly protected from discrimination, and we are proud to have been a part of this day.