In a wave of executive actions taken by incoming President Trump repealing or modifying a variety of actions taken by President Obama, a question loomed regarding the future of current federal LGBT protections afforded under Executive Order 13672.  That question has been answered.  The White House announced today that “the order will remain intact.”  Specifically, the Office of Press Secretary Sean Spicer stated that “President Trump continues to be respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights, just as he was throughout the election.”

Executive Order 13672 amended Executive Order 11246 to expand the definition of sex to include gender identity and sexual orientation, thereby extending protections from discrimination to individuals based on these two categories.

There was speculation President Trump might amend the Order to provide an exemption for religious organizations.  It appears the President declined to do so, leaving the Order “as is” without any such exemption.