It was a big week in LGBTQ news at the White House—or a big week in federal news for the LGBTQ community, depending on how one looks at it.
- On Wednesday, President Obama’s Executive Order on LGBT Workplace Discrimination went into effect, banning federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. As Labor Secretary Tom Perez explained:
The obligation not to discriminate covers every type of new and modified federal contract—from companies that build our highways and manage our IT infrastructure to those that run our cafeterias, produce our military uniforms and stock our supply closets. And it applies to every establishment of those contractors and subcontractors—not just the ones directly involved in performing the contract. While these protections for LGBT workers go into effect today, they do not require employers to undertake new record keeping, data analysis, goal setting or other similar affirmative action. Nor are employees and job applicants required to identify their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- The White House now boasts the option of a gender-neutral restroom for staff and visitors, located in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Alternatively, reports the Advocate, “guests are invited to use whichever bathroom fits with their gender identity.” This was part of a review of internal policies following the executive order above, said Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the President.
- The Obama administration has taken a public stance opposing “conversion therapy” that attempts to change people’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The administration spoke out against the policy through a response to a petition at WhiteHouse.gov, saying in part, “The overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that conversion therapy, especially when it is practiced on young people, is neither medically nor ethically appropriate and can cause substantial harm. As part of our dedication to protecting America’s youth, this Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors.”
With all this good news, I’m going to have to go watch some Scandal and House of Cards to remind myself of all that is malicious in our federal halls of power.