Obama admin: No ENDA exec order on fed non-discrimination ‘at this time’

[xchrom]

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/04/11/obama-admin-no-enda-exec-order-on-fed-non-discrimination-at-this-time/

But his people said that he’s 100% behind the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Not exactly a profile in courage, but really — has this President, whose administration has a history rife with political homophobia — ever been on the cutting edge of any LGBT rights initiatives?

So the LGBT establishment had a closed-door meeting with White House officials to hear the smackdown today; Chris Geidner of Metro Weekly reported that attendees at the briefing were Winnie Stachelberg, of Center for American Progress; Rea Carey, of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Tico Almeida, of Freedom to Work; Joe Solmonese and David Smith, of the Human Rights Campaign; and gay Democratic lobbyists Steve Elmendorg and Robert Raben.

President Obama does not plan to sign an executive order at this time banning federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, according to a statement from Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese. A senior administration official confirmed the news to Metro Weekly.

“Earlier today, we were told that the Administration is not ready to move forward with a federal contractor nondiscrimination executive order at this time,” Solmonese said. “We are extremely disappointed with this decision and will continue to advocate for an executive order from the president. The unfortunate truth is that hard-working Americans can be fired simply for being gay or transgender. Given the number of employees that would be covered by this executive order, it represents a critical step forward.”

The move is a blow to advocates, many of whom had been pushing for action over the past several months. Tico Almeida, the founder of Freedom to Work, had told Metro Weeklyrepeatedly that he was confident the president would sign such an order — by this June at the latest.

[edgineered]

1. Our local office of the OFA will be opening tonight.

Collier County FL is as far to the right as a community can get, but because I am an ally I will bring this up at tonight's kickoff. If any one else there supports LGBT issues, we take another small step forward.

https://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpsvzx

(late for work again)

[LonePirate]

2. So he signs DADT repeal but will not sign this similar EO for contractors.

And he is supposed to be the better of the two candidates for LGBT Americans? He's the lesser of two evils at best.

[dbackjon]

3. How about if we prayed about it?

FU OBAMA - my equality is too risky for you?