EPA under fire for Gay Pride events

[William769]

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency refused to back down from its decision to sponsor several Gay Pride events this month after it received more than 800,000 e-mails and thousands of phone calls denouncing its involvement in the events from supporters of a conservative political group.

Kirk Marusak, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender coordinator at EPA for the American Federation of Government Employees, said EPA officials informed him that a deluge of phone calls triggered by an "action alert" from the anti-gay American Family Association temporarily disabled the phone system at the agency's Office of Civil Rights.

The e-mails flooded the offices of several EPA divisions, including the civil rights unit, which issued an announcement in May recognizing June as Gay & Lesbian Pride Month at EPA.

"We're moving ahead with these events as planned," said EPA spokesperson Bob Zachariasiewicz. "There are no plans to change anything."

http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=7504

I hope it's safe to come out & play again. :hide:

[donco6]

1. In other news, the EPA was dissolved today by the * admin . . .

How long til that happens?

[davidinalameda]

2. have you all sent them an email thanking the EPA for recognition

of Pride?

[Duncan Grant]

4. That's always a good idea.

Here's Bob Zachariasiewicz's email address for those who are so inclined: [e-mail]

[davidinalameda]

7. just sent this

Thank you for allowing the employees of the EPA to Pride Week. These types of events are important because they not only celebrate the diversity of your agency, but they also show the common bonds shared by all your staff.

[sakabatou]

3. AFA conducting phone jammings?

That is... well, low.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. You misspelled, "Standard operating procedure." n/t

[sakabatou]

8. LOL

[Maccagirl]

6. At my place of work

there have been flyers noting Gay Pride Month events and yesterday I noticed many of them were defaced. Today they were gone. How much have we matured? Compassion and tolerance anyone?