Polis Statement on Upcoming Executive Order Prohibiting LGBT Workplace Discrimination by Federal Contractors

Statement

Representative Jared Polis (CO-02) today issued the following statement after President Barack Obama's announcement that he will issue an executive order banning businesses from receiving federal government contracts unless they have a policy prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity:

"This executive order is a major step toward ensuring that LGBT employees have the same protections against discrimination and harassment that their colleagues already enjoy. I commend the President for his strong leadership on behalf of the LGBT community, and for ensuring that taxpayer funds cannot be used to pay contractors who choose not to honor all employees' basic right to equality in the workplace.

"Nevertheless, there are millions of LGBT Americans throughout the country still living with the fear that they can be fired solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is time for Congress to follow the President's example by passing legislation to ensure that all Americans will be judged based on the quality of their work, not who they are or who they love."

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