Gay rights advocates are protesting a decision by the US Office of Special Counsel, the independent federal investigative and prosecutorial agency that protects federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices, to drop "discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation" from its list of prohibited practices during a review of government policy in the area. Special Counsel Scott J. Bloch, a recent Bush appointee, is reviewing whether the agency can protect employees from the practice on without court order or statutory authorization, on the sole basis of a 1999 Executive Order by then-President Bill Clinton. In the meantime, Bloch has directed references to sexual orientation to ve dropped from the agencies website and manuals. A review of the website shows that a 2003 section reading:

Sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation. Allegations of discrimination based on sexual orientation, marital status, and political affiliation are not within the jurisdiction of the EEOC. Such allegations, however, may be prohibited personnel practices or other violations of law subject to investigation by the OSC.

has been replaced by a more limited one which leaves out sexual discrimination, reading:

Marital status, political affiliation. Allegations of discrimination based on marital status, and political affiliation are not within the jurisdiction of the EEOC. Such allegations, however, may be prohibited personnel practices or other violations of law subject to investigation by the OSC.

A March 18 release from the Log Cabin Republicans calling on the Bush Administration to restore protection against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation for federal employees is here. The original February 27 OSC press release on the policy review is here. Monday's Washington Times has more.