LABOR/LGBTQ/RELIGION/SUPREME COURT/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The Trump administration opened the door Wednesday [8-14-19] to permitting government contractors to discriminate against LGBT employees with a proposed rule that frames the issue as protecting companies’ religious beliefs. The Labor Department proposal follows a string of Supreme Court decisions that protected business owners’ rights to refuse service to gay customers in some circumstances and to opt out of coverage for employees’ birth control, and that expanded churches’ ability to qualify for government funding. In October the high court will hear arguments about whether discrimination against LGBT employees violates Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The Trump Justice Department, reversing its previous stance under President Barack Obama, will argue that it does not. Wednesday’s proposed rule for the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs will clarify that government contractors may make employment decisions that align with their religious beliefs.”
–Ian Kullgren, “Trump rule to protect contractors who discriminate against LGBT workers,” Politico, August 14, 2019 12:52 pm