Mukasey Allows
DOJ's LGBT Group to Meet

During Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft's management of the Department of Justice, the agency's gay rights group was unable to use public bulletin boards, meeting rooms, or e-mail. Now, under Atty. Gen. Michael Mukasey, DOJ Pride is allowed to meet as often as other minority groups, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

DOJ Pride was barred from holding their annual pride celebration in 2003, when Ashcroft told the group that the Bush administration observed an unwritten policy of not sponsoring events without a presidential proclamation, according to the article. Succeeding attorney general Alberto Gonzales continued the ban. When Mukasey took over the top post in November, he told the group's 110 members that they would be allowed to meet again. DOJ Pride president Chris Hook told the Post that prior to the ban in 2003, the group had 200 members.

"I do not know of any other employee-recognized groups that were denied access under these same conditions," Hook said. As a result of "what some would term a hostile environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender employees, the membership rolls have suffered."

Hook said that since the group explained the discrimination they have faced over the last five years to the new attorney general, Mukasey has been supportive of the group.

According to the Post, Sen. Russell Feingold asked Ashcroft in 2001 if he would allow DOJ Pride the same access to department facilities as other employee groups. Ashcroft answered that discriminating against any policy-abiding group was not his intention. The exchange took place as conservative groups started to lobby against gay pride events at the department. (The Advocate)