New guide addresses discrimination against gays

A new Office of Personnel Management guide explains how federal employees who have been discriminated against because of their sexual orientation can seek help.

The guide, "Addressing Sexual Orientation Discrimination in Federal Civilian Employment," follows on President Clinton's executive order barring discrimination against homosexuals in the federal workforce. Clinton issued Executive Order 13087 last May.

The OPM guide lists several avenues for redress people can take.

Because Clinton's order made discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation a prohibited personnel practice, employees can file complaints with the Office of Special Counsel and the Merit Systems Protection Board, the guide says.

Employees can also file grievances through their unions or file complaints within their agencies. Complaints cannot be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, however, because federal law does not give the commission jurisdiction over cases involving sexual orientation.