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LGBT Equality Caucus

MEDIA CENTER

House LGBT Caucus Denounces Department of Justice “License to Discriminate” Guidance

October 6, 2017

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1727 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515

Date: October 6, 2017 Contact: Roddy Flynn, (202) 257-8416

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

House LGBT Caucus Denounces Department of Justice "License to Discriminate" Guidance

Washington, D.C. -- The Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus expressed outrage over President Donald Trump's Department of Justice guidance declaring a policy that government agencies, private businesses, and other entities have a right to discriminate against LGBT people.

"This guidance is a clear attack on the rights of LGBT community and may allow federal employees, contractors, grantees and other businesses to deny employment or services to LGBT people," said LGBT Equality Caucus Executive Director Roddy Flynn. "Though its obvious intent is obscured by flowery language of ‘religious liberty,' this guidance is as broad as it is menacing. It portends to give a widespread, state-sanctioned, tax-payer funded license to discriminate to anyone who claims a religious motivation for wanting to discriminate."

"Yesterday, the Trump Administration falsely argued that civil rights laws do not protect transgender Americans from employment discrimination," said Flynn. "Today, they are attempting to undermine every pro-equality law on the books. Any last vestiges of hope that this President would be any kind of protector or friend to the LGBT community are long gone."

Please contact Roddy Flynn at 202-257-8416 or roddy.flynn@mail.house.gov with press inquiries.

The mission of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus is to promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) equality. The bi-partisan, 113-member LGBT Equality Caucus is strongly committed to achieving the full enjoyment of human rights for LGBT people in the U.S. and around the world. By serving as a resource for Members of Congress, their staff, and the public on LGBT issues, the Caucus works toward the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and wellbeing for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.