Donald Trump won’t repeal Obama’s workplace protections for LGBTQ people

The White House said Tuesday that President Trump will continue the workplace protections for LGBTQ discrimination from anti-LGBTQ that was first signed by President Barack Obama.

“The executive order signed in 2014, which protects employees from anti-LGBTQ workplace discrimination while working for federal contractors, will remain intact,” said a White House statement.
Some LGBTQ groups had expressed concern that Trump would reverse that order, and that the president’s move to firmly ensconce some of those rights could be an attempt to stay above the coming fray.

“President Donald J. Trump is determined to protect the rights of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community,” the White House statement said. “President Trump continues to be respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights, just as he was throughout the election. The president is proud to have been the first ever GOP nominee to mention the LGBTQ community in his nomination acceptance speech, pledging then to protect the community from violence and oppression.”

Human Rights Campaign, an opponent of the Trump administration, said he “has left the key question unanswered,” according to HRC president Chad Griffin.
“Will he commit to opposing any executive actions that allow government employees, taxpayer-funded organizations or even companies to discriminate?”
The American Civil Liberties Union, which has seen an influx of support taking after Trump’s decision, likewise expressed distrust for the move.

“Actions speak louder than words,” ACLU spokesman James Esseks said.
“President Trump has surrounded himself with a vice-president and cabinet members who have repeatedly sought to sanction discrimination against LGBT people in the name of religion, and nothing in the White House’s statement makes clear that these efforts are behind us.

“LGBT immigrants, refugees, Muslims, and women have already come under attack by this administration. If Donald Trump is serious about being an ally to the LGBT community, it starts with abandoning an agenda driven by fear and prejudice.”