Baker extends state contractor preferences to gays, lesbians

BOSTON – Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order Tuesday that allows gay and lesbian business owners to receive preferential treatment when competing for contracts to supply Massachusetts agencies with goods and services. The order adds three categories of business owners to the list of suppliers that qualify for government set-asides. Those additions include one for firms whose owners are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, another for all veteran-owned businesses and one for owners wi

BOSTON – Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order Tuesday that allows gay and lesbian business owners to receive preferential treatment when competing for contracts to supply Massachusetts agencies with goods and services. The order adds three categories of business owners to the list of suppliers that qualify for government set-asides. Those additions include one for firms whose owners are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, another for all veteran-owned businesses and one for owners wi…