WASHINGTON, D.C. — (08-15-19) — Federal Contractors can now refuse to hire LGBTQ workers thanks to the Trump administration’s “New Religious Policy”.

Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella said in a statement yesterday…“Today’s proposed rule helps to ensure the civil rights of religious employers are protected,” said Pizzella. “As people of faith with deeply held religious beliefs are making decisions on whether to participate in federal contracting, they deserve clear understanding of their obligations and protections under the law.” said Pizzella.

Under the new barbaric law, U.S. businesses who have government contracts, can now refuse to hire LGBTQ workers on religious grounds under the new proposal announced on Wednesday August 14, by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The anti-LGBTQ policy says that government contractors, including corporations, hospitals and universities, can deny employment of LGBTQ citizens by claiming the new religious exemption policy if they can produce evidence of “religious purpose” in their business.

Trump Administration Policy Allows LGBTQ Discrimination in the Workplace

The new anti-LGBTQ policy that is overseen by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), yes the same organization that was charged with setting up anti-discrimination rules for businesses working with the government, have reversed an LGBTQ nondiscrimination order that was put in place by former U.S. President Barack Obama.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), one in four workers is employed by a government contractor and will generate tensions in the workplace over this new anti-LGBTQ policy.

Politicians on both sides of the aisle were quick to condemn the new policy by the Trump administration, saying that the rule amounted to tax-funded discrimination against vulnerable populations.

With this new anti-American policy, government contractors can simply create evidence of religious purpose by producing founding documents, articles of incorporation or other means of proof to justify their refusal to hire LGBTQ workers under the Trump administration’s anti-LGBT policy.

Senior legislative representative told The Thompson Reuters Foundation…“This proposal guts the executive order without having to take the step of removing it,” said Thompson. “This is about religiously motivated discrimination.” said Thompson.

In October, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments about whether LGBT+ employees of private business are protected by the 1964 Civil Rights Act. That historic law bars discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin or religious affiliation. Will LGBTQ citizens be added to the charter?

President Donald Trump’s administration including former DOJ secretary Jeff Sessions, has argued that protections based on sex do not extend to LGBTQ people.

Once again we are witnessing the Trump administration’s never-ending assault on the LGBTQ community.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer

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