On July 21, the President issued an Executive Order prohibiting government contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. There is no exception for religious organizations with government contracts. But neither is there any override of existing legal protections for religious liberty. The Department of Labor is to issue more detailed implementing regulations in ninety days.

The White House was lobbied hard by gay-rights groups, religious organizations, and advocates of religious liberty. The policy fight inside the White House was intense. Neither side got everything it wanted in this Order, but the gay-rights groups got more. The ultimate issues were kicked down the road.

 
Citation
Douglas Laycock, Neither Side Got What It Wanted: What Obama’s Non-Discrimination Executive Order Means Going Forward, First Things (2014).
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