Advocates for gay rights are renewing their efforts to seek protection from discrimination in light of the president’s recent support for the cause during his second inaugural address. President Obama’s statements about gay rights represented a major turning point in the eyes of advocates who are excited about the possibilities for change.
Current federal employment law bans discrimination based on the categories of race, gender, national origin, age, ethnicity, disability status, or religion. No protection is offered for employees who experience discrimination based on their sexual orientation. Advocates for expanding protections to LGBT workers have been pushing for an executive order that would ban this type of discrimination by federal contractors.