Senators Push New Bill on Anti-Gay Bias

A group of senators introduced legislation today aimed at guaranteeing protections for federal employees against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The effort is the latest in a series of attempts to respond an an effort initiated by Scott Bloch, head of the Office of Special Counsel, in January 2004 to review federal anti-discrimination statutes as they relate to sexual orientation. Bloch said at the time that OSC clearly has authority to protect government workers from discrimination for attending gay rights rallies or engaging in other public behavior. But discrimination stemming from simple knowledge of a colleague's sexual orientation, or inferred conduct within the home, falls in a gray area, he argued.

But in April 2004, Bloch issued a statement affirming that OSC would continue to accept and investigate complaints of sexual orientation discrimination by federal employees.

Still, Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, who sponsored the legislation introduced Wednesday, said the bill is necessary because "one administration official's personal interpretation of the law cannot be permitted to undermine the merit system or the rights and protections of federal workers."