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Obama grants workplace protections to LGBT workers of federal contractors
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday gave employment protection to gay and transgender workers in the federal government and its contracting agencies, after being convinced by advocates of what he called the “irrefutable rightness of your cause.” “America’s federal contracts should not subsidize discrimination against the American people…
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Obama to sign LGBT anti-discrimination orders without new religious exemption
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama plans to sign executive orders Monday prohibiting discrimination against gay and transgender workers in the federal government and its contracting agencies, without a new exemption that was requested by some religious organizations. Obama’s action comes on the heels of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling …
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Civil rights groups, lawmakers step up pressure on Obama over executive order
Dozens of civil rights organizations and a group of Democratic lawmakers have signed letters this week asking President Barack Obama not to exempt “religiously affiliated contractors” from a planned executive order protecting LGBT employees of federal contractors. The letters come as the debate over religious liberty intensifies in the wake of a recent …
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Obama faces pressure over religious exemption in anti-bias order
In the intensifying debate over religious liberty, President Barack Obama faces pressure from opposite flanks as he prepares to issue an executive order barring federal contractors from discriminating against gay and transgender people in hiring. Many religious leaders and conservative groups want him to exempt religious organizations from the order…
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Obama announces expanded safeguards for transgender workers
WASHINGTON — The White House is preparing an executive order offering transgender federal workers formal protection from discrimination at work, President Barack Obama announced Monday at a White House reception celebrating LGBT Pride Month. At least two other measures already prevent the federal government from firing people for being transgender …
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U.S. Attorney would be first openly gay federal judge in Texas
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has nominated U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman to fill a judicial vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in San Antonio. Pitman, who is openly gay, made history in 2011 when he became the first openly gay U.S. attorney in Texas. His confirmation to the court would be another historic event…
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Biden: Protecting LGBT rights must trump national cultures, social traditions
WASHINGTON — Seeking to mobilize a global front against anti-gay violence and discrimination, Vice President Joe Biden declared Tuesday that protecting gay rights is a defining mark of a civilized nation and must trump national cultures and social traditions. Biden told a gathering of U.S. and international gay rights advocates that …
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Rice: LGBT rights among the most challenging global human rights issues
WASHINGTON — With anti-gay laws taking root in nearly 80 countries, White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice on Tuesday cast the protection of gays from global discrimination, abuse and even death as one of the most challenging international human rights issue facing the United States. Rice told a White House forum of gay rights advocates…
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Without fanfare, Obama Administration advances transgender rights
SAN FRANCISCO — President Barack Obama, who established his bona fides as a gay and lesbian rights champion when he endorsed same-sex marriage, has steadily extended his administration’s advocacy to the smallest and least accepted band of the LGBT rainbow: transgender Americans. With little of the fanfare or criticism that marked his evolution…
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Obama Administration expands federal benefits for married same-sex couples
WASHINGTON — A year after the Supreme Court struck down a law barring federal recognition of gay marriages, the Obama administration granted an array of new benefits Friday to same-sex couples, including those who live in states where same-sex marriage is against the law. The new measures range from …