Although President Barack Obama has an impressive record on LGBT rights, he does not grandstand the topic. Others in his administration make speeches on gay rights — specially Secretary of State Hillary Clinton — and he still is committed to civil unions (although he maintains his position on same sex marriage is 'evolving').
As the 2012 election heats up, there are calls from political organizations for the president to his presidential powers to stop anti-LGBT discrimination in employment.
The Center for American Progress and Williams Institute wrote confidential memo outlining how the president can use his executive order powers to ban LGBT bias among federal contractors. The 12-page-note, obtained by Metro Weekly, was written to be read by Rep. Barney Frank.
The memo argues the tactic would be 'be a strong precedent for congressional passage of ENDA.' The Employment Non-Discrimination Act is a bill that would end employment discrimination based on orientation or gender identity. There is a sense such legislation could not pass today's Congress. For bills to become law in the United States, they must pass the House of Representatives, Senate, and finally signed by the president.
Although the White House has been quiet if Obama will go this route, others are certain of it. In a late January article, Metro Weekly quoted National Center for Transgender Equality executive director Mara Keisling.
'I'm not going to guess about timing, but I am extremely optimistic that it is going to happen, sooner or later. It's a common-sense policy. It's a common-sense civil rights marker. We have a president who understands the discrimination that LGBT people are facing … and I'm confident this is going to happen. It's vitally important.'
