WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) led a letter signed by 34 Members of Congress urging President Obama not to include special exemptions for religious organizations in his planned executive order regarding workplace protections for LGBT Americans employed by federal contractors. The letter comes in response to faith groups calling on President Obama to create exemptions that would allow an employee to be fired based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
“We set a dangerous precedent if we exempt religious organizations from these workplace protections,” said Congressman Pallone. “The federal government has an obligation to put a complete stop to unfair and discriminatory practices. I am pleased to lead my colleagues in calling for an executive order that ensures all Americans are afforded the same protections in the workplace.”
Pallone, a long-time advocate for LGBT equality, has been a leader on this issue for years, having held a Congressional briefing in 2012 examining the need to require federal contractors to have sexual orientation and gender identity anti-discrimination policies. He has also led letters to President Obama urging executive action on the issue for the last three years.
The full text of the letter is below:
July 15, 2014
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Like so many Americans, we were proud of your commitment to sign an Executive Order banning federal contractors from discriminating against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. We urge you to sign this Executive Order as soon as possible without exemptions, ensuring that it will protect every American who works with the Federal Government. We believe that this is a critical step towards ensuring that members of the LGBT community receive the same protections afforded to all citizens. What matters in the workplace is how you do your job—not who you are. No one in this country should be subjected to discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
In 2014, it is absolutely unconscionable that a federal contract worker could be fired on the basis of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity without legal repercussions. Thanks to your upcoming Executive Order, this discrimination will be a thing of the past. The federal government has a moral responsibility to ensure that all citizens are treated equally and with dignity.
Like many people of faith, we believe that a fully inclusive America benefits us all. However, we are disheartened to hear that some faith organizations wish to overturn this progress and continue this legalized discrimination. Creating a religious exemption for workplace discrimination would set a dangerous precedent for employees around the country. With this exemption, employers would be able to fire or refuse to hire someone based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. Your action at the federal level must put a complete stop to these unfair and discriminatory workplace practices.
We thank you for considering our request. Thank you again for your leadership on advancing LGBT equality, and we look forward to seeing your final Executive Order.
Sincerely,
FRANK PALLONE, JR. AMI BERA, M.D.
Member of Congress Member of Congress
ROBERT BRADY JULIA BROWNLEY
Member of Congress Member of Congress
TONY CARDENAS EMANUEL CLEAVER
Member of Congress Member of Congress
STEVE COHEN JOHN CONYERS, JR.
Member of Congress Member of Congress
SUSAN DAVIS KEITH ELLISON
Member of Congress Member of Congress
LOIS FRANKEL JOHN GARAMENDI
Member of Congress Member of Congress
ALAN GRAYSON BRIAN HIGGINS
Member of Congress Member of Congress
STEVEN HORSFORD RICK LARSEN
Member of Congress Member of Congress
JOHN LEWIS JIM MCDERMOTT
Member of Congress Member of Congress
JAMES MCGOVERN JIM MORAN
Member of Congress Member of Congress
GLORIA NEGRETE MCLEOD DONALD M. PAYNE, JR.
Member of Congress Member of Congress
CHARLES B. RANGEL LUCILLE ROYAL-ALLARD
Member of Congress Member of Congress
LINDA SANCHEZ JOHN P. SARBANES
Member of Congress Member of Congress
ALLYSON SCHWARTZ BOBBY SCOTT
Member of Congress Member of Congress
ALBIO SIRES MIKE THOMPSON
Member of Congress Member of Congress
JOHN F. TIERNEY DINA TITUS
Member of Congress Member of Congress
JUAN VARGAS HENRY WAXMAN
Member of Congress Member of Congress
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