Leaked draft of executive order signals protection for opponents of same-sex marriage, abortion

A leaked copy of a draft executive order has suggested that Americans who have religious objections to same-sex marriage, abortion, and other social issues may soon be able to live their lives and run their businesses in accordance with their beliefs.

The draft, titled "Establishing a Government-Wide Initiative to Respect Religious Freedom," came after social conservative activists raised their concern over reports that President Donald Trump would not rescind a previous executive order signed by President Barack Obama in 2014.

The 2014 order puts religious charities and other federal contractors at risk of losing federal grants if their employment practices are consistent with their stance on sexuality and marriage.

The Nation reported that the four-page draft order "seeks to create wholesale exemptions for people and organizations who claim religious or moral objections to same-sex marriage, premarital sex, abortion, and trans identity, and it seeks to curtail women's access to contraception and abortion through the Affordable Care Act."

The draft suggests that the religious liberties curtailed by the 2014 order would be restored if the president makes it official, The Christian Post reported.

The order would also ensure that religious organizations would maintain their tax-exempt status if they speak out against gay marriage, premarital sex, abortion rights, and rights for transgender individuals.

Ryan Anderson, an advocate for traditional marriage and religious liberty from The Heritage Foundation, said that the executive order is "good policy" and "entirely lawful."

He noted that liberals should be concerned about the order because it explicitly stated that it "shall be carried out ... to the extent permitted by law" and any accommodation must be "reasonable" in order to avoid potential conflicts.

Anderson also clarified that the draft order would not repeal the Obama executive order that elevates LGBT status to a protected class in federal contracts.

White House officials have told ABC News that the religious freedom order draft is just one among hundreds of executive orders that are currently being reviewed by the Trump administration. The officials further noted that not all of the orders reflect the administration's view on what will become actual policy.

"We do not have plans to sign anything at this time but will let you know when we have any updates," said White House spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders.