A new rule prohibiting discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity in the federal contracting workforce was announced on December 3, 2014 by the Department of Labor (DOL). The rule implements Executive Order 13672, which was signed by President Obama on July 21, 2014.

Executive Order 13672 tasked the DOL with updating the rules implementing Executive Order 11246 to add gender identity and sexual orientation to the classes it protects with respect to the federal contracting community. The new regulations require treatment of applicants and employees without regard to, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The final rule will become effective 120 days after its publication in the Federal Register, which should occur over the course of the next several days, and will apply to federal contracts entered into or modified on or after that date. More information is available here.