The US Department of Labor issued a new rule prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The rule implements an executive order signed by the President in July.
The new order is the first federal action to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Some states already include gender identity and sexual orientation as a protected class. Protections apply to workers who are employed by or seek jobs with federal contractors and subcontractors. Individuals in federal contracting employment will be protected from sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination. The rules do not apply to private sector employees.