“We are pleased that the DOJ has reversed their decision of the all-out ban on the on-site gay pride event,” said HRC Political Director Winnie Stachelberg. “However, the new policy is still a step backward as DOJ Pride is being treated differently than it was in the past, and unequally from other agency groups who have the full sponsorship of the department. This policy marginalizes the department’s GLBT employees.”

Last year’s DOJ Pride event featured a department-sponsored speech by Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson to roughly 150 employees in the Great Hall. DOJ officials claimed that this year’s event would be disallowed because the White House had not issued a proclamation acknowledging gay pride month. There was no proclamation from the president prior to last year’s event either.

“Attorney General Ashcroft promised in his confirmation hearing that he would not discriminate against DOJ Pride when it was politically expedient, but he made a very serious attempt to go back on his word in canceling this celebration,” said Stachelberg.

[link via How Appealing]