By Thomas Maxheimer
Donald Trump Will Not Repeal Obama’s LGBTI Workplace Protections, But This Does Not Make Him An Ally
While Trump has said he will keep the 2014 Executive Order put in place by former President Obama to protect workers of federal contractors, this does not extinguish fears of broad ‘religious freedom’ legislation. The White House statement said the president pledged to ‘protect the community from violence and oppression’. The President of the Human Rights Campaign, Chad Griffin, said Mr. Trump had set the bar low by only agreeing to leave in place the protections that already exist. “LGBTQ refugees, immigrants, Muslims and women are scared today, and with good reason,” he said.
March On Washington Has Potential To Reignite The Full Force Of The Gay Rights Movement
The recent Women’s March on Washington has inspired the June 11 march and many expect it could mark the first large-scale march on Washington since the National Equality March in 2009. The first such demonstration, the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, took place in 1979, which drew an estimated 125,000. The March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation of 1993 had an estimated attendance of 800,000 – one million.
Boy Scouts Will Allow Transgender Children Into Programs
The Boy Scouts of America has announced it will allow transgender children identifying as boys to enroll in its boys-only programs. While the Boy Scouts had previous restricted participation in their programs based upon the gender listed on a child’s birth certificate, they will now allow participation based upon the gender recorded by the parents on the application. In July of 2015, the Boy Scouts lifted their ban on gay troop leaders and employees. In 2013, they lifted their gay scout ban.
