Secretary Kerry apologizes for past discrimination against LGBT employees and applicants

Monday, Secretary of State John Kerry issued a long awaited statement apologizing for the departments’ firing of employees, and rejecting applicants, based on “perceived sexual orientation.” The era, stretching back into the 1940s, but reaching a fever pitch in the early 1950s, is referred to as the “Lavender Scare” by LGBTQ activists.

The State Department was not alone in discharging employees who were, or were perceived to be, gay or lesbian. One notable example of this witch-hunt was LGBTQ rights pioneer Frank Kameny. A World War II veteran with a Ph.D. from Harvard University, Kameny worked as an astronomer for the Army Map Service. In 1957, he was fired for being gay. By executive order of President Eisenhower in 1953, gays and lesbians were prohibited from serving as federal employees.   

Frank Kameny was fired from his federal job for being gay, an event which led to a lifetime of activism. Photo courtesy LGBTHistoryMonth.com.

His termination fueled a lifetime of activism. He was a cofounder of the Mattachine Society of Washington. The Mattachine Societies of New York and Washington became the first gay civil liberties organizations in the United states. He later helped start organizations that would become the National LGBTQ Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign.

Secretary Kerry’s remarks are long overdue, and were praised by LGBTQ activists. Kerry’s statement said:

“Throughout my career, including as Secretary of State, I have stood strongly in support of the LGBTI community, recognizing that respect for human rights must include respect for all individuals. LGBTI employees serve as proud members of the State Department and valued colleagues dedicated to the service of our country. For the past several years, the Department has pressed for the families of LGBTI officers to have the same protections overseas as families of other officers. In 2015, to further promote LGBTI rights throughout the world, I appointed the first ever Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBTI Persons.

“In the past – as far back as the 1940s, but continuing for decades – the Department of State was among many public and private employers that discriminated against employees and job applicants on the basis of perceived sexual orientation, forcing some employees to resign or refusing to hire certain applicants in the first place. These actions were wrong then, just as they would be wrong today.

“On behalf of the Department, I apologize to those who were impacted by the practices of the past and reaffirm the Department’s steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion for all our employees, including members of the LGBTI community.”

HRC Government Affairs Director David Stacy said in a statement, “Although it is not possible to undo the damage that was done decades ago, Secretary Kerry’s apology sets the right tone for the State Department as it enters a new and uncertain time in our country under a new administration.

“Throughout his distinguished career, Secretary Kerry has been a champion for LGBTQ human rights in the U.S. and around the globe. We are incredibly grateful for Secretary Kerry’s leadership and steadfast commitment to defending and promoting the human rights of all people, no matter who they are or whom they love.”

“In recent years, the State Department has prohibited its employees from being discriminated against based on sexual orientation or gender identity and taken a number of other steps to protect LGBTQ people both at home and abroad,” HRC said.

Copyright 2017 The Gayly – January 10, 2017 @ 4 p.m.