On July 21, 2014, President Obama signed an Executive Order prohibiting federal government contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment decisions on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Executive Order is an amendment to Executive Order 11246, issued by President Lyndon Johnson on September 24, 1965, and enforced by the Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs.

Commenting on his action, “…the President also pointed out that workplace equality is simply good business. Noting that most of the Fortune 500 companies already have nondiscrimination policies on their books, he explained that these policies help companies attract and retain the best talent.”

For more information about Executive Order 11246, see:

http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/ca_11246.htm