Date: Mon, 13 Jan 97 12:57:09 EST From: ngltf@ngltf.org Subject: NGLTF Highlights Right Wing Hypocrisy in Postal Policy ********************************************************************* National Gay and Lesbian Task Force PRESS RELEASE Contact: Tracey Conaty 202/332-6483 x3303 pager 800/757-6476 tconaty@ngltf.org 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ********************************************************************* POSTAL REGULATION CAUSES STIR; HIGHLIGHTS RIGHT TO PRIVACY HYPOCRISY OF RELIGIOUS EXTREMISTS Washington, D.C., January 13, 1997....Some anti-gay, right-wing political groups are concerned that new U.S. Postal Service regulations will regulate employees' off-duty conduct and have called on their members to contact the Postal Service in protest. Such interpretation of the regulation is patently incorrect. While no longer a federal agency, the Postal Inspection Service's action is one that falls in line with actions taken by most federal Cabinet-level Departments in making clear that discrimination on the job will not be tolerated. The provision does not seek to regulate off duty conduct. The regulations, which apply to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the enforcement branch of the Postal Service are contained within a five page code of conduct. Signed last November, the anti-discrimination provision prohibits employees, acting in an official capacity, to directly or indirectly discriminate on the basis of age, gender, ethnic origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation. The regulation applies to the agency's 4,600 inspectors, police officers and support personnel who investigate crimes committed through the mail. "The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is to be commended for joining with other federal, state and private employers who have adopted policies that prohibit discriminatory practices by its employees," stated NGLTF executive director Kerry Lobel. "State and local governments, as well as private employers, throughout the country have adopted similar non-discrimination policies which make clear that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation by its employees is as onerous and unacceptable as other forms of discrimination," added Lobel. The provision does not state or imply that employees must accept homosexuality or give up their rights to argue against pro-gay policies or actions. "It is interesting to note how concerned the right wing extremists, such as the American Family Association, are regarding the regulation of the private conduct of these employees. Yet, they are among the first to want to regulate the private lives of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgendered individuals," Lobel pointed out. ### _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .