Tell President Obama: Stop doing business with businesses that discriminate against gays and lesbians.

In 29 states across the country, you can still legally be denied a job, fired or discriminated against in the workplace because you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Additionally, 35 states lack protections against discrimination based on your gender identity or expression.

And while Speaker Boehner wields the gavel in the U.S. House, it is incredibly unlikely that we'll see Congress legislate workplace protections for LGBT Americans.

But President Obama has the authority to take an alternative route to expanding workplace protections. By issuing an executive order barring federal contractors from engaging in job discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, the Obama Administration could extend workplace protections not only to federal employees, but to employees of all companies that work with the federal government.

On Thursday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi added her voice to a growing chorus of lawmakers -- including Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), Sens. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) -- who want the President to issue an executive order expanding workplace protections for gays and lesbians.¹

But while President Obama has publicly stated his support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the White House has been relatively silent on using administrative powers to stop employment discrimination.

Recently, when asked about the possibility of an executive order, White House spokesperson Shin Inoyye reiterated the President's commitment to LGBT equality and left the door open to consider an administrative route:

"The administration continues to examine steps the federal government can take to help secure equal rights for LGBT Americans. While I can't speak to this specific proposal, we've already taken steps such as extending benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of federal employees and ensuring equal access to HUD programs, and we hope to continue making progress."

If the President is truly committed to securing equal rights and protections for LGBT Americans, then this executive order should be a simple and obvious next step.

All Americans deserve an equal opportunity to learn, grow and succeed in the workplace, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. It's time for the Obama Administration to take a substantive step forward on this issue, and actually extend the protections they claim to support.

Tell Pres. Obama: Stop doing business with businesses that discriminate against gays and lesbians.

1. "Pelosi Endorses Executive Order Protecting LGBT Americans From Employment Discrimination," Think Progress, 07-21-2011.