A Change in Security Clearances for Gays?

Page One Q is reporting that the National Security Agency has changed its rules regarding sexual orientation and the issuance of security clearances. According to the report, some small but possibly significant changes have been which could impact LGBT government employees who apply for those clearances.

In 1997, President Clinton issued an executive order prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the issuance of security clearances. President Bush renewed that executive order. Today's news makes us wonder: has the Bush administration abandoned its committment to the 1997 order, which it previously renewed? And why were the changes announced today necessary? No American should be assumed to be a security risk or unable to serve our country simply because they happen to be lesbian or gay.

SLDN is sorting through the new language and our attorneys are busy determining what, exactly, those changes will mean. Check back here for more information as soon as we have that . . .

- Steve Ralls