President Obama To Sign Executive Order Banning Gender Identity Discrimination for Federal Employees

In a surprise announcement at this evening’s White House LGBT Pride Reception, President Obama said he plans on issuing an executive order banning federal jobs from discriminating based on gender identity.  The news comes on the heels of the Obama administration’s earlier announcement at the start of June that the President would sign an executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Human Rights Campaign, which long lobbied for such an executive order from the President, issued a statement in support of the President’s decision.  HRC President Chad Griffin remarked as follows:

“Today President Obama proved yet again why he will be remembered as the most pro-LGBT president in history. Each and every American worker should be judged based on the work they do, and never because of a fundamental aspect of who they are – like their gender identity. And the federal government, like employers across America, is best served by ensuring every qualified individual are able to serve without fear of discrimination. We thank President Obama for announcing this crucial and historic measure, and we look forward to seeing it signed soon.”