Gov't quietly changes rules on sexual orientation and security clearances

Newly revised guidelines issued by President Bush's National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley (right) once again allow consideration of sexual orientation when issuing security clearances. This information was first reported today by the news site Raw Story (Full Story: U.S. quietly tightens access to classified information). The language change between the 1997 version and the 2005 guidelines is seemingly minor:

1997: Rules stated that sexual orientation “may not be used” as a basis for disqualifying applicants.

2005: The revision states that clearances cannot be denied "solely on the basis of the sexual orientation of the individual."Text

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Bush administration security clearance changes may impede gays
Can sexual orientation now be 'disqualifying factor'?

The Bush administration last year quietly rewrote the rules for allowing gay men and lesbians to receive national-security clearances, drawing complaints from civil rights activists.

The White House is insisted that changes to national security clearances approved in December by President Bush do not allow sexual orientation be a 'disqualifying factor.'
The administration said security clearances cannot be denied "solely on the basis of the sexual orientation of the individual." But it removed language saying sexual orientation "may not be used as a basis for or a disqualifying factor in determining a person's eligibility for a security clearance."

The White House sought to play down the changes, approved by President Bush in December, as an effort to ensure the security clearance rules are consistent with a 1995 executive order about access to classified information.

"The minor language change did not and was not intended to alter the way sexual orientation is treated," National Security Council spokesman Frederick Jones said Tuesday. "The U.S. government policy has not changed in any way."