HRC has learned that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has removed sexual orientation and gender identity from their Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) statement.

Under the Civil Service Reform Act and the Executive Orders signed by Presidents Clinton and Obama, sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination is prohibited in federal employment.

Earlier this year, the Department of Commerce took a similar action, but Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross restored the sexual orientation and gender identity language following new stories reporting on the change.

“Yet again, we see the Trump-Pence Administration actively seeking to undermine rights for LGBTQ people,” said David Stacy, HRC Government Affairs Director.

“The GSA’s move to exclude sexual orientation and gender identity from their Equal Employment Opportunity statement is mean-spirited, deceptive and irresponsible. The GSA’s EEO statement is meant to inform workers and applicants about their legal protections — protections that federal employees have had for decades. Cutting specific mention of sexual orientation and gender identity protections is a slap in the face to LGBTQ federal employees.