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Friday, June 06, 2003
looks like Ashcroft didn't get laid again last night
In what has to be one of the most weirdly dumb moves in recent years, the Justice Department has banned a staff gay pride event.

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.


OK, first, that's a weak-ass excuse. But second: why JD? I mean, if you're going to do this somewhere, wouldn't you pick a bureau where there weren't a whole bunch of goddamn lawyers? Well, I guess Ashcroft hasn't done anything obviously insane in a few months, so he was due.

Oh, and then there's this:

Gay Republicans have become a more vocal force in party politics of late, but President Bush, unlike Mr. Clinton, has refused to issue a proclamation declaring a Gay Pride Month. The White House has said that the president does not believe "in politicizing people's sexual orientation."

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.


*cough* Yes, well. It's rather too bad that Republicans can get away with this, but it does seem clear that it's a safe political position right now. Oh well.