Donald Trump will keep protection for LGBT workers
Donald Trump will not be scrapping protections for LGBT workers put in place by President Obama.
Despite claims during his presidency bid he would repeal “a lot of” the previous administration’s actions, the White House confirmed a commitment to “protect the community from violence and oppression”.
In 2014 Obama signed an executive order banning LGBT workplace discrimination by federal contractors and the federal government.
The bill applied to roughly 24,000 companies and 28 million employees – a fifth of America’s overall workforce.
However, there had been fears the order would be axed after Trump assumed office.
Press secretary Sean Spicer had fuelled unease after he responding “I just don’t know” when previously asked about the bill’s fate.
The White House has now released a statement in response to the speculation, saying the President himself had made the decision to keep them in place.
“President Trump continues to be respectful and supportive of L.G.B.T.Q. rights, just as he was throughout the election,” they continued.
“The president is proud to have been the first ever G.O.P. nominee to mention the L.G.B.T.Q. community in his nomination acceptance speech, pledging then to protect the community from violence and oppression.”
However, leaving the order in place does not mean the Trump could attack gay rights in other areas.
For example, he previously pledged to sign the Republican-backed First Amendment Defence Act, which would permit forms of anti-LGBT discrimination on the grounds of religion.
LGBT supporters remained unimpressed. Speaking to the New York Times Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said it was setting a low bar by claiming credit for simply not overturning turning policies.
“L.G.B.T.Q. refugees, immigrants, Muslims and women are scared today, and with good reason,” he added. “Donald Trump has done nothing but undermine equality since he set foot in the White House.”
Upon taking control of The White House website, The Trump administration also immediately deleting all mention of LGBT.
