CLINTON STATEMENT ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION BAN
USIA
06 August 1998
TEXT: CLINTON STATEMENT ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION BAN
(Praises House vote August 5 to defeat effort to overturn it) (310)
Washington -- President Clinton says he is gratified the House of
Representatives has rejected an effort to overturn his executive order
barring discrimination within the federal government based on sexual
orientation.
In a statement issued by the White House August 6, Clinton said the
defeated amendment "would have legitimized government sponsored
discrimination against its own citizens." The President said his
executive order "does not authorize any affirmative action, or
preferences, or special rights for anyone."
Rather, he said, it "reflects this Administration's firm commitment
that the federal government make employment related decisions in the
civilian workforce based on individual ability and not on sexual
orientation."
Following is the White House text:
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Following is the White House text:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
August 6, 1998
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
I am gratified that the House has defeated an attempt to overturn my
Executive Order providing a uniform policy to prohibit discrimination
based on sexual orientation in the federal civilian workforce.
This vote reflected the values of our nation. The American people
believe in fairness, not discrimination, and the Hefley amendment
would have legitimized government sponsored discrimination against its
own citizens based on their sexual orientation.
It has always been the practice of this Administration to prohibit
employment discrimination in the federal civilian workforce based on
sexual orientation. Most federal agencies and departments have taken
actions to memorialize that policy. The Executive Order does no more
than make that policy uniform across the federal government. It does
not authorize affirmative action, or preferences, or special rights
for anyone.
The Executive Order reflects this Administration's firm commitment
that the federal government make employment related decisions in the
civilian workforce based on individual ability and not on sexual
orientation.
(end text)