Feb 20, 2013

New Research Brief On Executive Order to Prevent Discrimination Against LGBT Workers

Today, the Williams Institute and the Center for American Progress published a research brief analyzing the impact of an executive order preventing discrimination against LGBT workers. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) workers continue to face widespread discrimination and harassment in the workplace. However, no federal statute explicitly prohibits such discrimination.

According to the Williams Institute and the Center for American Progress, "Absent federal legislation, the President has the legal authority through an executive order to protect employees of federal contractors from sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. An executive order would protect an additional 11 million U.S. workers from sexual orientation discrimination, and 16.5 million more would be protected from gender-identity discrimination.

The majority of top 50 federal contractors and Fortune 500 companies have already successfully implemented nondiscrimination policies. Ninety percent (compared to 81% in 2010) of the top 50 federal contractors now include sexual orientation in their nondiscrimination policies, and 67% (compared to 44% in 2010) include gender identity too. Notably, since 2010, the number of top federal contractors providing gender identity protections has increased by 50 percent."

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL REPORT.

Are you a member of the business community in the state of North Carolina? Here's your chance to publicly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and allied patrons and employees and urge other fair-minded businesses to join us in working for equality. SIGN THE PLEDGE.