1. An Executive Order to Prevent Discrimination Against LGBT Workers Center for American Progress and the Williams Institute

2. SUBHEADINGS

3. 1. LGBT Americans experience high rates of discrimination and harassment in the workplace. 2. Discrimination has a negative impact on both LGBT employees and their employers. 3. A majority of LGBT Americans lack legal protections against employment discrimination. 4. President Obama can issue an executive order prohibiting discrimination by federal contractors.

4. 5. An executive order would give significant protection to LGBT workers 6. Many contractors have already adopted nondiscrimination policies. 7. The majority of companies believe that nondiscrimination policies will improve their bottom line. 8. A majority of small businesses already prohibit discrimination against LGBT employees at little to no cost to employers.

5. 9. Americans support an executive order that expands existing nondiscrimination requirements for federal contractors 10. LGBT nondiscrimination protections can be implemented with minimal administrative cost and burden. 11. The president has the authority to issue an executive order that broadens existing nondiscrimination requirements.

6. With just a few added words, the subheadings make an introductory paragraph.few added words

7. WOMBAT BREAK.

8. Subheadings answer questions. What would an executive order do, exactly? 5. An executive order would give significant protection to LGBT workers

9. Isn’t this going to be a tough sell and just one more aggravating law that businesses have to implement? 6. Many contractors have already adopted nondiscrimination policies. 7. The majority of companies believe that nondiscrimination policies will improve their bottom line.

10. Baby hippo.

11. Businesses, especially small businesses, already have a huge tax burden and unwieldy federal regulations. Why should they get behind this proposal? 8. A majority of small businesses already prohibit discrimination against LGBT employees at little to no cost to employers.

12. But most Americans aren’t really LGBT friendly— that’s the bottom line. Right? 9. Americans support an executive order that expands existing nondiscrimination requirements for federal contractors

13. Baby pandas.

14. Furthermore, the president can’t get away with this. A law like this has to go through congress where we know it will just sit-- or never pass. 11. The president has the authority to issue an executive order that broadens existing nondiscrimination requirements.

15. Tiny turtle.

16. Subheadings set the tone for the issue brief. Distils large amounts of complex detail Provides short overview Succinct and evidence-based Understandable (no jargon)

17. Break it down.