WHITE HOUSE CAVES ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Received from Commerce Globe: Published in the April 6 Issue of FedManager http://www.fedmanager.com/currentissue.htm:
*WHITE HOUSE SAYS FEDS CAN'T BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION* In an effort to quell a controversy that began several weeks ago, the White House last Wednesday issued a statement saying federal employees cannot be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation. Long-standing federal policy prohibits discrimination against federal employees based on sexual orientation. President Bush expects federal agencies to enforce this policy and to ensure that all federal employees are protected from unfair discrimination at work, the White House said.
The controversy began in February, when Special Counsel Scott Bloch removed references to sexual orientation discrimination from Office of Special Counsel forms and its website. In his preliminary analysis of the pertinent laws, Bloch made a distinction between orientation and conduct, concluding that while conduct was protected, orientation was not. Under that analysis, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender federal workers could not be fired for being seen at a gay pride event, for instance, but could be fired for their orientation. Previous Special Counsels did not distinguish between conduct and orientation, taking the position that any discrimination based on sexual orientation was illegal.
Bloch's actions prompted outrage by a group of House and Senate lawmakers, who held a press conference on Capitol Hill last Wednesday. The White House statement was released only hours after that press conference.
Federal GLOBE: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Employees of the Federal Government has called for President Bush to remove Special Counsel Bloch from his post, saying, "He has shown animus to part of the Civil Service and cannot be trusted to uphold the duties of his office."
Brian Dauth Queer Buddhist Resister