WASHINGTON – Interfaith Alliance president Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy issued the following statement today in response to President Obama’s announcement of plans to sign an Executive Order barring discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity:

“I am deeply grateful that President Obama has decided, today, to move forward with plans to enact an Executive   Order protecting the freedom of our LGBT brothers and sisters to work for federal contractors. This policy is long overdue. For years Interfaith Alliance has urged the president to protect LGBT workers through executive action, just as we have tirelessly urged Congress to enact non-discrimination legislation. While Congress continues to neglect its duty, I am overjoyed to witness this decisive action toward ensuring all Americans the God-given right to be treated with dignity and respect in workplace.”

“We look forward to working with the president to see that this Executive Order is the most comprehensive policy possible. The tenet that religion should never be legitimated as a license to discriminate remains our core belief; that federal money must never be used to fund such discrimination must remain the bedrock of religious freedom in America. It is my sincerest hope that the president will heed this principle as he considers the contours of his forthcoming executive action.”


Interfaith Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, Interfaith Alliance brings together members from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition to protect faith and freedom. For more information visit www.interfaithalliance.org.