# "Justice" Dept. Bans Gay Pride Event **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 6, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071 "2003-06-06T13:41:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/1 "2003-06-06T13:41:06Z")
Cut down from today’s _NYTimes_: WASHINGTON, June 5 — The Justice Department has barred a group of employees from holding their annual gay pride event at the department’s headquarters, the first time such an event has been blocked by any federal agency, gay rights leaders said today. Justice Department officials told the group, called DOJ Pride, that it could not hold its annual event at the department because the White House had not formally recognized Gay Pride Month with a presidential proclamation, Marina Colby, a department policy analyst who is president of the group, said. The group represents several hundred gay and lesbian employees at the department. “This sends a real chilling message to Justice Department employees who are gay and lesbian,” said David Smith, a spokesman for Human Rights Campaign, the country’s largest gay advocacy group. "This says, `You’re not welcome,’ " Mr. Smith said. “It says that employees can celebrate Asian-American heritage month, and Hispanic heritage month and so on, but you cannot.” The gay pride event has been a tradition at the Justice Department since the late 90’s, organizers said, and many other federal agencies have held similar events since the mid-1990’s, when President Bill Clinton first declared a Gay Pride Month. Public Advocate, a nonprofit group that describes itself as pro-family, has continued lobbying the Justice Department and other federal agencies in recent months to abandon the gay pride events because it says the events are an inappropriate use of federal resources, said Jesse Binnall, a group spokesman. Told of the decision to cancel this year’s Justice Department event, Mr. Binnall said today, “We’re absolutely thrilled that the Justice Department has made such a bold decision to stand up for American families instead of giving in to special interest groups.” Mr. Bush has issued more than 250 proclamations, acknowledging events like Greek Independence Day, Leif Erikson Day, Save Your Vision Week and National Hospice Month. This is the first time any federal agency has forced the cancellation of a gay pride event, Mr. Smith said. ---
**Author:** ![Fin\_man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@Fin\_man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fin_man)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/2 "2003-06-06T13:46:14Z")
Gee, Ascroft’s agency did something anti-gay? I’m shocked. Seriously, this is a crock of crap. Hoping it is one more nail in the coffin for this administration. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/3 "2003-06-06T13:46:35Z")
Words cannot express my total disgust for Ashcroft and the “Justice Department” upon reading that. Unbelievable. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/4 "2003-06-06T13:54:37Z")
Huh. I didn’t realize there was a terror alert level pink. And if they go ahead and hold the event anyway, what’s he going to do? Fire everyone? ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/5 "2003-06-06T13:55:47Z")
Once again I feel the incredible guilt of being a Republican and am compelled to apologize on behalf of the more fu…-witted members currently in charge. I’m so tired… so very, very tired. MeanJoe ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/6 "2003-06-06T13:58:50Z")
I’m sorry that the Justice Dept. banned this event. I disagree with the banning and I think their excuse was bullshit. Their stance is quite different from the Republican Party’s recent efforts to be more gay-friendly,. E.g., [Party Chairman Mark Racicot recently met with gay groups](http://www.wset.com/showstory.hrb?f=n&s=89867&f1=loc) (although he was criticized for it by the party’s neanderthal wing.) Note a bit of spin in the cited article: “The gay pride event has been a tradition at the Justice Department since the late 90’s, organizers said…” It’s a bit of an exaggeration to use the word “tradition” to describe something that has only occurred a few times. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/7 "2003-06-06T13:59:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > Justice Department officials told the group, called DOJ Pride, that it could not hold its annual event at the department because the White House had not formally recognized Gay Pride Month with a presidential proclamation, Marina Colby, a department policy analyst who is president of the group, said. > > The gay pride event has been a tradition at the Justice Department since the late 90’s, organizers said, and many other federal agencies have held similar events since the mid-1990’s, when President Bill Clinton first declared a Gay Pride Month. Huh? Do they mean that it only counts if Bush declared one, or was Clinton’s only good for that one year? If the former, I hope that Bush has busily issued declarations for everything else, including Christmas and other holidays. Jerks. ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/8 "2003-06-06T14:22:32Z")
But hey, if you’re here in the DC area, you can still roll out this weekend to Pennsylvania Ave.–in the pouring rain, no doubt–to participate in the [Capital Pride Festival](http://channels.gay.com/pride/cityguide.html?sernum=1566). Usually about 200,000 people show up. By coincidence or design the main Justice Department building is right there. I wouldn’t advise expressing your discontent there. Back in '01 one of the President’s helicopters made a pass up the length of Pennsylvania Ave. during the festival. “Was that the President showing his support?” I naively asked. “Nah,” said a friend of mine. “He’s probably simulating a strafing run.” ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/9 "2003-06-06T14:40:45Z")
One step forward…two steps back. ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/10 "2003-06-06T14:46:21Z")
So…The DoJ should have ‘sexuality pride’ days? The workers are more than free to shuffle off to some other place and be proud of themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/11 "2003-06-06T15:01:11Z")
I am in agreement with the decision, if holding a “Gay Pride” event means that workers are using their work hours to participate therein. I would also be opposed to a “Greek Independence” event, an “Arbor Day” event, or indeed any event that involved getting paid for doing something other than working. If, on the other hand, this was simply the use of DoJ facilities during off hours, and is permitted for other events, then I think the denial here is wrong. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/12 "2003-06-06T15:07:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Brutus \* > \*\*So…The DoJ should have ‘sexuality pride’ days? The workers are more than free to shuffle off to some other place and be proud of themselves. \*\* So you favor discrimination against gay workers? If Hispanic and Asian-Pacific heritage are commemorated, why not gay people? More than ever, I intend to attend Capital Pride–even if they have the same crappy food booths every year. ---
**Author:** ![Mars\_Horizon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mars_horizon/32/2804_2.png) [@Mars\_Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mars_Horizon)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/13 "2003-06-06T15:27:41Z")
Ashcroft’s DOJ should be renamed “Department Of JusticeforonlyStraightWhiteChristians”, based on the news reports I have seen coming out of there. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/14 "2003-06-06T15:34:59Z")
Hrmmm…First response: gone. Let’s try this again. Hispanic and ‘Asian-Pacific’ (sort of a broad brush, no?) ‘pride-events’ have no place in the workplace, either. Check this out. I am going to be proud of myself, without using any corporate resources: **Damn, Brutus. You _are_ the Croatian Sensation. You are OG; A smooth operator.** See how easy that was? Places of business are for business. Leave the various ‘pride’-type events to the various proud peoples’ personal lives. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/15 "2003-06-06T15:43:51Z")
I’ve noticed at my workplace, these sorts of heritage-related things are always attended by the same small group of people. I venture to say that if they were held after hours or on weekends, no one would attend. So much for pride. If I was in charge, none of them would be sanctioned on the clock. If you can’t be proud on your own time, you’re probably not all that proud in the first place. And, no, I’m not jealous that my eastern European heritage is apparently not worthy of a month or a week or a day so designated… ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/16 "2003-06-06T15:48:42Z")
I agree with Brutus. Why is the DOJ sponsoring _any_ pride/heritage events at work? ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/17 "2003-06-06T15:53:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Brutus \* > \*\*Hrmmm…First response: gone. Let’s try this again. Hispanic and ‘Asian-Pacific’ (sort of a broad brush, no?) ‘pride-events’ have no place in the workplace, either. > > Check this out. I am going to be proud of myself, without using any corporate resources: > > **Damn, Brutus. You _are_ the Croatian Sensation. You are OG; A smooth operator.** > > See how easy that was? Places of business are for business. Leave the various ‘pride’-type events to the various proud peoples’ personal lives. \*\* Huh. A reasonable stance. Nobody has the right to be proud of who they are in the workplace? Not quite what Brutus is saying. Nobody has the right to do anything extracurricular in the workplace? Closer. So why is Ashcroft having Bible studies at DOJ? Last time I looked, there was nothing requiring employees of the Justice Department to be familiar with the contents of the Bible? Oh, and by the way, “Pride” in this context usually translates to “self-acceptance” – and God forbid that any person should accept himself as different from the standard that the “pro-family” groups (who are opposed to most kinds of families, by the way) set down as “proper.” ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/18 "2003-06-06T15:54:22Z")
I wouldn’t say a word if the Gov’t. banned them all: but the _only_ one they banned was Gay Pride, and the Prez. refused (unlike his predecessor) to OK Gay Pride Month (as opposed to, say, “Eye Injury Prevention Month”). ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/19 "2003-06-06T15:54:23Z")
Perhaps I’ll see you there, **gobear**. I can’t agree more about the necessity of showing up. This year it’s still a celebration. Two years from now it might have to be a demonstration. ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071/20 "2003-06-06T16:12:44Z")
If you are registered at the NY Times website, you can see the full article. Here are some other pertinent quotes: > [@](#): > > Last year Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson — the second-ranking official at the department — spoke to about 150 people at the event in the Great Hall of the department. Ms. Colby said the presence of such a high-ranking official “was a really big deal for us, a real sign of support.” > > But Mr. Thompson’s appearance drew protests from some conservative groups. Some accused Attorney General John Ashcroft, a social conservative who has spoken out in the past about homosexuality, of abandoning them by allowing last year’s event to proceed. > [@](#): > > Ethnic and racial groups have held annual events at the Justice Department. But Ms. Colby, the leader of DOJ Pride, said the gay pride event was the only one she knew of at the Justice Department that was not covered by a presidential proclamation, and she believed that the Justice Department was using the proclamation issue as a convenient way to cancel the event. Bastards. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-dept-bans-gay-pride-event/180071.md?page=2)