Biden signs EO 13988 banning federal discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation

On his first day in office, President Biden signs Executive Order 13988, Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation. The order directs all federal agencies to interpret existing sex non-discrimination protections in federal law to include sexual orientation and gender identity, implementing the Supreme Court's 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County decision. The order covers employment, housing, lending, education, and other areas where federal law prohibits sex discrimination. Combined with other day-one actions reversing the transgender military ban and restoring LGBTQ+ non-discrimination protections in federal programs, it represents the most expansive LGBTQ+ civil rights action by any president on day one.