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SENATORS QUESTION BUSH ON SEXUAL 1ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION POLICIES Administration deletes policies from official website
Press Release Sen. Jon S. Corzine’s Office, February 19, 2004 Contact: Darius Goore 202 224-6037 Washington, D.C. – United States Senator Jon S. Corzine (D-NJ) was joined by Democratic senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today in a letter calling on the President to explain the sudden removal of information on sexual orientation discrimination policies from an Administration website. Yesterday, the Washington Post reported that the Administration’s Office of Special Counsel (OSC) deliberately removed references to sexual orientation from its discrimination complaint and employee awareness materials on its website. "The article raised important questions that all Americans deserve immediate answers to," the letter states. "Does Special Counsel Scott J. Bloch’s action reflect new Administration policy? Will your Administration rescind Executive Order 13087, which mandates that the federal government prohibit discrimination against federal employees based on their sexual orientation?" The deleted materials provided essential information to federal employees outlining Administration policies toward discrimination based on sexual orientation. The presence of that information implicitly suggested that sexual orientation discrimination would receive the same level of attention given to other forms of discrimination in the workplace. Information on other forms of discrimination such as race and age remained on the site. "The OSC has a special role in protecting the rights of government employees who come forward to shed the light on discrimination, corruption, and fraud," the senators wrote. "We urge you to address this situation as soon as possible to ensure all federal employees will have the full protection of civil rights law."
February 19, 2004 The President The White House Washington, DC 20520 Dear Mr. President: We write to express our deep concern that based on an article that appeared in yesterday’s Washington Post, your Administration is abdicating its responsibility to stand up and protect the civil rights of all Americans. According to the Post, your Administration’s Office of Special Counsel (OSC) deliberately removed any and all references to sexual orientation from its discrimination complaint and employee awareness materials on its website. Without this material, federal employees will have no way to know whether your Administration will give discrimination based on sexual orientation the same level of attention it gives to other forms of discrimination in the workplace. This article raises important questions that all Americans deserve immediate answers to. Does Special Counsel Scott J. Bloch’s action reflect new Administration policy? Will your Administration rescind Executive Order 13087, which mandates that the federal government prohibit discrimination against federal employees based on their sexual orientation? If you intend to rescind this Executive Order, are there other forms of discrimination your Administration will condone? The OSC has a special role in protecting the rights of government employees who come forward to shed the light on discrimination, corruption, and fraud. At a time when ensuring accountability and fostering efficient government are so important, such actions only work against our nation’s interest. We urge you to address this situation as soon as possible to ensure all federal employees will have the full protection of civil rights law. Sincerely, Senator Jon S. Corzine Senator Frank R. Lautenberg Senator Barbara Boxer Senator Maria Cantwell Senator Patty Murray The Washington Post article, "Gay Rights Information Taken Off Site" is on
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