Yahoo! News - Federal agency reverses, protects gays
Bowing to pressure from the White House, congressional Democrats and GLBT activists, the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) announced Thursday it would restore protections for gay and lesbian federal employees.

The move ends a protracted struggle that began in February, when the head of the OSC, Scott Bloch, removed language protecting gay and lesbian federal employees from discrimination based on their sexual orientation. Despite vociferous protests, Bloch claimed it was necessary to avoid creating a "protected class."

By the end of March, congressional Democrats banded together to demand the White House take a stand and fire Bloch. They said Bloch did not have the authority to ignore an executive order signed by President Clinton and retained by President Bush.

The Bush administration spoke out last week, effectively rebuking Bloch by promising all federal employees are indeed protected from unfair discrimination at work.

Doesn't it seem a bit hypocritical to protect federal employees on the job, but then deny them full civil rights on the home front? Heh-heh. See? We get our foot in the door and then we want all the rights! Then everybody's gonna want 'em! Jeez, you guys just can't win.