Pallone Leads Letter Urging President Obama to Sign Executive Order Protecting LGBT Workers from Workplace Discrimination Without Exemptions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) led a letter signed by 34 Members of Congress urging President Obama not to include special exemptions for religious organizations in his planned executive order regarding workplace protections for LGBT Americans employed by federal contractors. The letter comes in response to faith groups calling on President Obama to create exemptions that would allow an employee to be fired based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“We set a dangerous precedent if we exempt religious organizations from these workplace protections,” said Congressman Pallone. “The federal government has an obligation to put a complete stop to unfair and discriminatory practices. I am pleased to lead my colleagues in calling for an executive order that ensures all Americans are afforded the same protections in the workplace.”

Pallone, a long-time advocate for LGBT equality, has been a leader on this issue for years, having held a Congressional briefing in 2012 examining the need to require federal contractors to have sexual orientation and gender identity anti-discrimination policies. He has also led letters to President Obama urging executive action on the issue for the last three years.

The full text of the letter is below:







July 15, 2014



President Barack Obama

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500



Dear Mr. President:



Like so many Americans, we were proud of your commitment to sign an Executive Order banning federal contractors from discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. We urge you to sign this Executive Order as soon as possible without exemptions, ensuring that it will protect every American who works with the Federal Government. We believe that this is a critical step towards ensuring that members of the LGBT community receive the same protections afforded to all citizens. What matters in the workplace is how you do your job—not who you are. No one in this country should be subjected to discrimination and harassment in the workplace.



In 2014, it is absolutely unconscionable that a federal contract worker could be fired on the basis of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity without legal repercussions. Thanks to your upcoming Executive Order, this discrimination will be a thing of the past. The federal government has a moral responsibility to ensure that all citizens are treated equally and with dignity.

Like many people of faith, we believe that a fully inclusive America benefits us all. However, we are disheartened to hear that some faith organizations wish to overturn this progress and continue this legalized discrimination. Creating a religious exemption for workplace discrimination would set a dangerous precedent for employees around the country. With this exemption, employers would be able to fire or refuse to hire someone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. Your action at the federal level must put a complete stop to these unfair and discriminatory workplace practices.

We thank you for considering our request. Thank you again for your leadership on advancing LGBT equality, and we look forward to seeing your final Executive Order.


Sincerely,



FRANK PALLONE, JR. AMI BERA, M.D.

Member of Congress Member of Congress



ROBERT BRADY JULIA BROWNLEY

Member of Congress Member of Congress



TONY CARDENAS EMANUEL CLEAVER

Member of Congress Member of Congress



STEVE COHEN JOHN CONYERS, JR.

Member of Congress Member of Congress



SUSAN DAVIS KEITH ELLISON

Member of Congress Member of Congress



LOIS FRANKEL JOHN GARAMENDI

Member of Congress Member of Congress



ALAN GRAYSON BRIAN HIGGINS

Member of Congress Member of Congress



STEVEN HORSFORD RICK LARSEN

Member of Congress Member of Congress



JOHN LEWIS JIM MCDERMOTT

Member of Congress Member of Congress



JAMES MCGOVERN JIM MORAN

Member of Congress Member of Congress



GLORIA NEGRETE MCLEOD DONALD M. PAYNE, JR.

Member of Congress Member of Congress



CHARLES B. RANGEL LUCILLE ROYAL-ALLARD

Member of Congress Member of Congress



LINDA SANCHEZ JOHN P. SARBANES

Member of Congress Member of Congress



ALLYSON SCHWARTZ BOBBY SCOTT

Member of Congress Member of Congress



ALBIO SIRES MIKE THOMPSON

Member of Congress Member of Congress



JOHN F. TIERNEY DINA TITUS

Member of Congress Member of Congress



JUAN VARGAS HENRY WAXMAN

Member of Congress Member of Congress

Frank Pallone's Statement on Decision Not To Sign Executive Order Prohibitin​g LGBT Workplace Discrimina​tion for Federal Contractor​s

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Frank Pallone issued the following statement today regarding the White House’s decision against signing an executive order that would prohibit federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers:

“I’m disappointed that, at this time, the Administration has decided not issue an executive order prohibiting contractors from receiving federal funds unless they have sexual orientation and gender identity anti-discrimination policies in place.

“Nobody should have to work in a hostile work environment where they are discriminated against based on their gender identity or sexual orientation, particularly when their job is being funded by federal dollars. Congress needs to work to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, however, signing an executive order is a step that could be taken now to make sure that federal dollars do not go to contractors without strong policies prohibiting discrimination in the workplace.

“I encourage the Administration to reconsider its position on signing an executive order to protect LGBT employees and I remain committed to working in Congress to make sure that all Americans are free to work without the threat of harassment or discrimination regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.