Obama stirs LGBT attendees at NYC gala

NEW YORK — President Obama stirred high-dollar LGBT donors at a Democratic National Committee gala in New York City on Tuesday by reminding them of the accomplishments over the course of his administration and saying more needs to be done.

Speaking onstage at Gotham Hall before an American flag, Obama received a prolonged standing ovation when he said he told his staff to prepare an executive order that would bar federal contractors from discriminating against LGBT workers.

“We don’t benefit as a country or an economy — businesses don’t benefit if they’re leaving talent off the field,” Obama said. “And that’s why I’ve directed my staff to prepare for my signature, an executive order prohibiting discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity…Because in the United States of America, who you are and who you love shouldn’t be a fireable offense.”

The White House announced Monday that Obama plans to sign the executive order. Although many questions remain about the planned directive, such as whether it’ll contain a religious exemption, Obama revealed virtually no details about the order in his remarks.

- See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/06/17/obama/?