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Security Clearances: Consideration of Sexual Orientation in the Clearance Process

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date March 24, 1995
Report No. NSIAD-95-21
Subject
Summary:

GAO found during a review of eight federal agencies that, in a break with government policy dating to the 1950s, sexual orientation was no longer a factor in issuing security clearances to federal workers and contractors. Some persons GAO spoke with, however, believed that they had been asked inappropriate questions during the clearance process. All eight agencies indicated that concealment of any personal behavior that could result in exploitation, blackmail, or coercion was a security concern. However, the treatment of concealment as it relates to sexual orientation varies. Most agencies have eliminated specific questions about sexual orientation, but Defense Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation guidelines treat concealment as a security concern.

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