READ This Silly Religious Group Response to the LGBT Executive Order

The bishop-Chairmen of two USCCB Committees responded with great concern to President Obama’s July 21 executive order to prohibit federal government contractors from what the Administration deems “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” discrimination and to forbid “gender identity” discrimination in the employment of federal employees. The problems the bishops identify in the order relate both to the flaws in its core prohibitions, and to its lack of religious freedom protection.

Two USCCB Chairmen – Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty and Bishop Richard J. Malone of Buffalo, Chairman of the Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth – together issued the following statement.

Today’s executive order is unprecedented and extreme and should be opposed.

In the name of forbidding discrimination, this order implements discrimination. With the stroke of a pen, it lends the economic power of the federal government to a deeply flawed understanding of human sexuality, to which faithful Catholics and many other people of faith will not assent. As a result, the order will exclude federal contractors precisely on the basis of their religious beliefs.

More specifically, the Church strongly opposes both unjust discrimination against those who experience a homosexual inclination and sexual conduct outside of marriage, which is the union of one man and one woman. But the executive order, as it regards federal government contractors, ignores the inclination/conduct distinction in the undefined term “sexual orientation.” As a result, even contractors that disregard sexual inclination in employment face the possibility of exclusion from federal contracting if their employment policies or practices reflect religious or moral objections to extramarital sexual conduct.

The executive order prohibits “gender identity” discrimination, a prohibition that is previously unknown at the federal level, and that is predicated on the false idea that “gender” is nothing more than a social construct or psychological reality that can be chosen at variance from one’s biological sex. This is a problem not only of principle but of practice, as it will jeopardize the privacy and associational rights of both federal contractor employees and federal employees. For example, a biological male employee may be allowed to use the women’s restroom or locker room provided by the employer because the male employee identifies as a female.

In an attempt to avoid these needless conflicts, states that have passed “sexual orientation” or “gender identity” prohibitions have overwhelmingly included protections for religious employers. When the U.S. Senate, which is controlled by the President’s own party, passed the similar Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) last year, it included religious liberty protections as well. Indeed, all prior versions of ENDA had at least some religious liberty protections. But the executive order is an anomaly in this regard, containing no religious liberty protections. In this way, the order, which is fundamentally flawed in itself, also needlessly prefers conflict and exclusion over coexistence and cooperation.

Regarding federal contractors, the Executive Order will take effect after rules to be promulgated by the Department of Labor implementing the Executive Order become final. Regarding federal employment, the Executive Order is effective immediately.

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The White House will not use an Executive Order for Federal Contractor Nondiscrimination... Right Now

Today the Obama Administration decided to not use an executive order against workplace discrimination. Instead, they will use other tactics to seal the deal.
 
Metro Weekly has the story:

The White House, which has endorsed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act -- a bill to prohibit sexual orientation or gender identity-based workplace discrimination for most private employers -- had refused to comment publicly on the executive order proposal.

Today, however, a senior administration official tells Metro Weekly, "While it is not our usual practice to discuss Executive Orders that may or may not be under consideration, we do not expect that an Executive Order on LGBT non-discrimination for federal contractors will be issued at this time. We support legislation that has been introduced and we will continue to work with congressional sponsors to build support for it."

Of the White House effort, Stachelberg says, "The White House will instead launch a multipronged effort to better address workplace discrimination against gay and transgender Americans. However, just as Congress should pass ENDA now, the President should now use his executive authority to extend existing nondiscrimination requirements of federal contractors to include sexual orientation and gender identity."

While many activists are screaming bloody murder, I actually see the bright side. An executive order doesn't guarantee a done job. It can be easily overturn and removed, Clinton did it to Reagan. Executive orders are not completely long term, if anything, it's kind of a quick fix.

If the OA has a plan to pull the weed and the root, let them. Why are we, no, some activists in doubt? The last time I checked, Obama delivered on his promises to us. I really don't know why they are all up in arms, ready to storm the White House. Yes, people can still lose their jobs, but I trust that the OA will get this done.

I wish activists will stop jumping to conclusions. All of this unnecessary rage just gives you gas and wrinkles.

 

ENDA's not Dead, Still on Track

Rep. Barney Frank says that ENDA is still on track, it isn't dead yet.

“We were very close just before we snowed out to basically come to an agreement on a bill that would get a majority vote in the Education & Labor Committee,” he said.

Frank said he’s still anticipating the committee to markup ENDA this month and a floor vote on the bill this March.

“The speaker has promised me that as soon as it passes the committee, she’ll bring it up to the floor of the House,” Frank said.

The lawmaker said he’s been working on ENDA closely with Chairman George Miller (D-Calif.), whom Frank said has been “very supportive” on the legislation, as well as a coalition of organizations including transgender groups. Still, Frank said the transgender protections were among the sticking points in negotiations on how to proceed.

“There has always been a problem with the question of people who are transgender in situations where people are totally or partially unclothed,” he said.

This is good to hear. I hope March is the time.

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Support ENDA!

Today is National Call-In Day for ENDA. This is one of the big ones for the LGBT community.

United ENDA is a group of LGBT orgs trying to get the word out. Here's a piece from their website:

Today is our National Call-In Day for Equality--- these call-in days are a coordinated effort by scores of organizations to flood Capitol Hill offices with calls as we move closer to a House vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Congressmembers tell us that what influences them most are calls and emails from people back home. Make a difference, call Capitol Hill now. And get your friends and family members to call too!

Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121. Give your zip code and ask to be connected to your Representative.

Say: My name is _____ and a proud resident of (your city, state). I am calling in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3017), to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from job discrimination. Please pass ENDA before the end of the year. I can be reached at _______ (give your phone number). Thank you.

Or, send an email by filling out the form to the right.

Let's burn up the phone lines to Congress, telling them ENDA is next, ENDA is NOW! Let Congress know how important ENDA is to LGBT people and all those who care about equality. Call today! Call now!

If you can, please do so. This is an effective method we rarely use. Let's get with it!

ENDA hearing is Today

Get the party started!

Watch it live here

ENDA is considered the Obama Admin's top civil rights priority.

Hear what Folks were saying in the ENDA Hearings

ENDA is being heard Today by the House

The House Education & Labor Committee will hear testimony on ENDA today.

Rep. Barney Frank believes there's enough House votes to pass the bill this fall, but it will face some difficultly in the Senate.

Hopefully, everything will turn out fine.


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Sen. Jeff Merkley introduced the a Trans-Inclusive Version of ENDA

Sen. Jeff Merkley introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, including a trans-inclusive version of the bill.

Jeff put on the table and will be the lead sponsor.

“There is no place in the workplace for employment discrimination,” said U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley. “No worker in America should be fired or denied a job based on who they are. Discrimination is wrong, period. I’m proud to join Senator Kennedy, who is a civil rights legend, and Senators Collins and Snowe, both champions for equality, in taking this next step in our ongoing effort to create a more perfect union and guarantee every American, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, the right to earn a living.”

This is good news, very good news.

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