President Barack Obama surprised guests at the annual White House LGBT Pride Celebration today with a brand new, previously unannounced Executive Order to protect all federal workers from gender identity discrimination.
The White House was an exciting place today, as it is every year when invited notables join the President and First Lady to celebrate Pride. Today, President Barack Obama told his guests that in addition to signing an executive order to protect employees of federal contractors from anti-LGBT discrimination, he will sign an executive order protecting all federal workers from gender identity discrimination. That act is designed to help protect transgender workers.
“Last year, I promised to implement the Affordable Care Act so this community could get quality, affordable health care like you deserve,” President Obama told his audience. “And we did that, too. And thanks to that law, you can no longer be denied health insurance on the basis of your sexual orientation or gender identity.
“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.)Â
“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.)”
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Transcript via the White House
Images: Front page by Mark Knoller via Twitter, Top by The Obama Diary via Twitter