Government apologizes to Kameny (fed. employee fired for being gay)

[Mabus]

More than 50 years after firing Frank Kameny from his job for being gay, the federal government today officially apologized.

John Berry, the gay director of the Office of Personnel Management, presented Kameny with an official letter of apology along with the department’s most prestigious award, the Theodore Roosevelt Award.

“In what we know today was a shameful action, the United States Civil Service Commission in 1957 upheld your dismissal from your job solely on the basis of your sexual orientation,” the letter states. “… And by virtue of the authority vested in me as Director of the Office Of Personnel Management, it is my duty and great pleasure to inform you that I am adding my support … for the repudiation of the reasoning of the 1957 finding by the United States Civil Service Commission to dismiss you from your job solely on the basis of your sexual orientation. Please accept our apology for the consequences of the previous policy of the United States government.”

“Apology accepted,” Kameny replied.

more at: http://www.washblade.com/blog/blog.cfm?blog_id=25888.

[WillParkinson]

1. He's a better person than I am...

Good on you, Mr. Kameny.

[pleah]

2. K&R

[Toasterlad]

3. They Should Have Given Him 50 Years Back Pay.

Once again, it's all words, no action with these guys.

[enigmatic]

4. I was going to say that

Put their money where their mouth was. It still doesn't didsmiss what they did, but it would have bbeen a good start.

[checks-n-balances]

8. Exactly! n/t

[NMMNG]

5. It's good the finally did it

[foxfeet]

6. I am glad to see this.

Frank Kameny was out and fighting for gay rights long before Stonewall. He was a founder of the Mattachine Society and is one of our oldest surviving warriors. I can remember reading a pamphlet or article he wrote containing advice on how to conduct oneself if the FBI shows up at one's door. He deserves our gratitude and a place of honor in LGBT history. (And he deserves 50 years' back pay, with interest!)

[Duncan Grant]

7. I'm happy for Frank but I want to see bold visionary leadership. n/t

:kick:

[checks-n-balances]

9. Starting at the top, of course n/t