Donald Trump continues to be an outspoken opponent of same-sex marriage, but he has no problem with gay employees in the workplace.
In an interview with NBC's "Meet The Press," the GOP presidential hopeful told Chuck Todd that he was fine with affirmative action and employee non-discrimination ordinances, noting that he didn't think a worker's sexuality "should be a reason" for him or her to be fired.
"Well, it’s a big discussion and I guess it’s getting a lot of negative rulings right now," he told Todd in the interview. "I’m willing to go with what the courts are saying. I don’t think [someone's sexuality] should be a reason, no.”
In July, the U.S. Equal Employement Opportunity Commission ruled that workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is illegal under federal law, The New York Times reported. Still, gay and lesbian workers can be fired for their sexuality in 29 states, while those who identify as transgender aren't protected in 32 states.
Lest you think he's suddenly become more accepting of the gay and lesbian community, however, Trump re-iterated his opposition to same-sex marriage in the interview.
Noting that he was a "very conservative person," he added, "I live in New York. New York is a place with lots of gays and I think it’s great, but I’m not in favor of gay marriage."
It wasn't the only controversial stance Trump expressed in the interview. He also told Todd that, if elected, he would rescind President Barack Obama's executive orders on immigration by deporting all undocumented immigrants from the United States.
"We're going to keep the families together, but they have to go," he said. "Chuck, we either have a country, or we don't have a country."
