Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Vorkosigan · 06-08-2003, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug
Was the DoJ group planning to have a sodomy event or something?

Well, they have been reaming lots Muslim immigrants lately....

Jewel · 06-08-2003, 06:28 AM

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Will Ashcroft get away with discriminating against groups of people like this? Sure, you can hold a religious event but not a gay pride event.

We really have to make sure that these jerks are out of jobs in 2004.

marylandnaturegirl · 06-10-2003, 09:29 PM

The decision was reversed or clarified and the DOJ will allow gay employees to hold event on the condition that they pay for everything themselves. I assume that means pay for the space.

What I want to know... (<===as Dean says) is why do Gays have to pay for space at DOJ when Ashcroft has a daily prayer session at DOJ and I highly doubt they pay a daily fee for space for that!

Jewel · 06-11-2003, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by marylandnaturegirl
What I want to know... (<===as Dean says) is why do Gays have to pay for space at DOJ when Ashcroft has a daily prayer session at DOJ and I highly doubt they pay a daily fee for space for that!

If they don't make every group that meets there for nongovernmental purposes (including Ashcrofts prayer meetings)rent the space then I think the gay and lesbian employees should call them on it. Perhaps a letter writing campaign would be in order -- I would want to know a bit more about the situation, though.

Toto · 06-11-2003, 10:37 AM

World Net Daily: Justice won't bar 'gay pride' event after all

Quote:

Homosexual Justice Department employees can hold their annual "gay pride" event at the department's headquarters after all, but not on the government's dime.

The Associated Press reports department officials said yesterday they never intended to flatly bar the DOJ Pride group from holding its awards ceremony on June 18 in the agency's Great Hall.

"They will not be officially sponsored this year," spokesman Mark Corallo told the AP. "They took that to mean they couldn't have the event."

Why does WND use "homosexual" (and put gay pride in quotes) when other news groups use "gay"?

Washington Post: Justice to Let Staff Honor Gay Pride

Quote:

Justice Department officials did not return calls Friday about the issue. But spokesman Mark Corallo said yesterday it had never banned the events and attributed the imbroglio to "miscommunication."

He said the department had told DOJ Pride, a group that supports its gay employees, that Justice could not sponsor any events without a presidential proclamation. The Bush administration has declined to issue a statement honoring Gay Pride Month.

But, Corallo said, the department told the group it could still hold its event; it just wouldn't be sponsored by Justice. DOJ Pride had planned a ceremony next week in the Justice Department's main auditorium to honor two lawyers who have defended gay rights.

"They were told -- very clearly -- that, like any properly constituted employees association, they could request the space, it would be granted and they could have their event," he said. "It just would not be officially sponsored."

Corallo said he did not know why the department waited several days to clarify its position.

That did not satisfy Marina Colby, president of DOJ Pride. "I can't believe they said that," she said. "We were told we couldn't have the event at all, even if we paid for all of it."

She called the announcement a "partial reversal," but said it was still discriminatory. Colby said the department sponsors other heritage and diversity events, such as those honoring Black History Month or Hispanic employees. Last year, Justice sponsored the group's gay pride event and Deputy Attorney General Larry D. Thompson addressed the group.

06-10-2003, 09:29 PM	#13
marylandnaturegirl Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Washington DC Metro Area Posts: 151	DOJ will allow Gay Pride event at their cost The decision was reversed or clarified and the DOJ will allow gay employees to hold event on the condition that they pay for everything themselves. I assume that means pay for the space. What I want to know... (<===as Dean says) is why do Gays have to pay for space at DOJ when Ashcroft has a daily prayer session at DOJ and I highly doubt they pay a daily fee for space for that!

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06-08-2003, 06:28 AM	#12
Jewel Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Northern Virginia, USA Posts: 1,112	It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Will Ashcroft get away with discriminating against groups of people like this? Sure, you can hold a religious event but not a gay pride event. We really have to make sure that these jerks are out of jobs in 2004.

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