Religious and Secular Groups Urge Executive Order Barring LGBT Discrimination By Government Contractors

Yesterday, 23 national organizations (Jewish, Christian, Muslim, humanist and secular) sent a letter (full text) to President Obama expressing disappointment that he has decided not to issue an executive order to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the prohibited forms of discrimination by government contractors. Urging the President to reconsider his decision, the letter said:

Our various faith traditions and belief systems counsel the treatment of all people with dignity. They inspire us to act with compassion and to work to ensure that all are accorded respect and equal opportunity. Moreover, many of us draw on our experience as members of groups that historically have known discrimination as a reminder of the importance of such anti-discrimination measures as a means of ensuring fairness in employment.

The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism coordinated the letter.