Trump vows to continue LGBT workplace rights protection
In a break with his party's traditional stance on gay rights, Republican US President Donald Trump vowed on Tuesday to uphold protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people working for federal contractors.
The White House said in a statement that Trump, who took office this month, would continue to enforce an executive order signed in 2014 by his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama.
"The President is proud to have been the first ever GOP (Republican) nominee to mention the LGBTQ community in his nomination acceptance speech, pledging then to protect the community from violence and oppression," the White House said. The move puts Trump at odds with many of his fellow Republicans, who for the most part have fought civil rights protections based on sexual orientation and gender. Some conservatives have softened their positions in recent years, however, particularly toward gay marriage.
