At the U.S. Department of Labor, we're committed to promoting and protecting opportunity for all workers. Our nation and workforce are stronger when we embrace diversity, and when workers can apply their unique skills and talents to jobs that provide fair wages, benefits and safe and healthy working conditions, and ensure respectful inclusion. For decades, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and other sexual and gender-diverse communities (LGBTQI+) have fought for that same opportunity. The Department of Labor is committed to protect LGBTQI+ workers and ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Learn more about DOL's work supporting LGBTQI+ workers on our blog.
Learn more about actions taken by President Biden to advance equality for LGBTQI+ Americans.
- Executive Order 13988 – Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation
- Executive Order 14004 – Enabling All Qualified Americans to Serve Their Country in Uniform
- Executive Order 14020 – Establishment of the White House Gender Policy Council
- Executive Order 14021 – Guaranteeing an Educational Environment Free from Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, Including Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
- Executive Order 14035 – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce
- Executive Order 14075 – Advancing Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Individuals
- National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality
Resources
- Advancing LGBT Workplace Rights, 2015 Report
- Protections for LGBTQI+ Employees of Federal Contractors and Subcontractors Under Executive Order 11246
- OSHA Guide to Best Practices for Restroom Access for Transgender Workers
- Marriage Equality Under the Family and Medical Leave Act
- Job Corps Program Instruction Notice: Ensuring Equal Access for Transgender Applicants and Students
- The Workforce Development System: Training and Employment Guidance Letter on Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Stereotyping
- Family Equality for Parents Caring for Children Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (the "in loco parentis" standard)
- Family Equality for Workers Caring for Parents Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (the "in loco parentis" standard)
- Guidance to Employee Benefit Plans on the Definition of "Spouse" and "Marriage" under ERISA and the Supreme Court's Decision in United States v. Windsor
- DOL Policies on Gender Identity: Rights and Responsibilities
- DOL Policies on LGBTQ+ Employees and Applicants: Rights and Responsibilities Desk Aid
- Statement from Secretary Walsh on the Department's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy