Security Clearances: Consideration of Sexual Orientation in the Clearance Process.
Abstract
Until about 1991, when agencies began to change their security policies and practices regarding sexual orientation, there were a number of documented cases where defense civilian or contractor employees' security clearances were denied or revoked because of their sexual orientation. However our review of various records at eight agencies and outreach to members of the homosexual community have not identified such cases since 1991. Since no overall database of such information exists, our work was based on judgmentally selected reviews of agencies' records and information solicited from parties involved in the process. We also recognize there is the possibility that some individuals who have experienced problems would be unwIlling to come forward and discuss their cases. Notwithstanding these limitations, our work disclosed no evidence that sexual orientation has been used as a criterion in the security clearance process for federal civilian and contractor employees since 1991. However, some individuals we spoke with believed they were asked inappropriate questions during the clearance process.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA293150
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office