June 20, 2014
Contact: Linda Meric, National Executive Director,
(303) 628-0925 x15 or lindam@9to5.org
9to5 Applauds Executive Action Banning LGBT Discrimination by Federal Contractors, Calls on House to Pass ENDA
“9to5 applauds President Obama’s announcement that he will sign an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating against their employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The signing of the order will expand critical anti-discrimination protections to the 28 million private sector workers employed by companies doing business with the federal government.
The right to work free from workplace discrimination and harassment is a fundamental human right supported by the vast majority of Americans across demographics and political lines. But currently, lesbian, gay and bisexual employees in 29 states, and transgender employees in 32 states, are still working without protection against employment discrimination.
It is time for the United States to outlaw workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The president’s executive order is an important step toward achieving that goal.
But we are not done. Last year, the U. S. Senate passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would extend this basic protection to employees of most U. S. employers. 9to5 calls on the U. S. House of Representatives to take action immediately and pass ENDA. 9to5 will continue to work with our allies until legally sanctioned discrimination in the workplace is ended.”
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About 9to5: With forty-one years’ experience in winning justice for working women, 9to5 leads the way to create a powerful force for change on issues affecting low-wage women and their families. www.9to5.org
