20 J « * M A • )uJy 20, 2001
but called upon the administration
“to further clarify its position and
fully disclose their objectives.”
She accepted that religious free
dom
allows religious groups to discrim
to discriminate
inate when it comes to operations that
apply directly to their religious func
tion. The Employment Nondiscrimi
nation Act allows this as well.
erated the message. “T h e
“W hat we cannot support is fed
W h ite House told them
eral
funds being used by organiza
that would be reviewed, and
tions to discriminate based on sexu
that’s the extent of It.” He
al orientation,” Stachelberg said.
said the administration is
Conferring
these “special protec
“committed to our nations
tions to religious organizations” is a
civil rights laws,” which
debate that should be carried out in
have bipartisan support and
Congress, she added.
are not likely to be changed.
This “backroom deal” to over
ride state and local law “is reprehen
~7 ay rights supporters were
sible,” Stachelberg said. “It appears
Jf taking no chances,
that the Salvation Army is attempt
hastily calling a noon briefing
ing an end run around the Congress,
at the National Press Club
Wade Henderson and Winnie Stachelberg challenge the backroom deal
with the assistance o f the Bush
with W innie Stachelberg,
during a news conference July 10
administration.”
Human Rights Campaign
The 1964 Civil Rights Act established “a very
protect the interests of their citizens." He pointed
political director, and Wade Henderson, execu
important principle, that people should be judged
to the inconsistency of an administration that
tive director of the Leadership Council on Civil
on
their performance in the workplace,” Hender
claims
to
want
to
return
power
closer
to
the
people.
Rights, a coalition of 185 organizations.
son said. “To have the administration now willing
Finally, Henderson asked the administration
“Todays report suggests that the administra
to work out a deal to override local protection of
to reconsider “charitable choice initiatives” that
tion is willing to throw the rights of some citizens
this important principle is deeply troubling.”
would allow religious organizations to evade
overboard in return for political support from the
A dozen states and 122 local jurisdictions
existing civil rights laws in implementing social
Salvation Army,” said Henderson, who called on
have enacted legislation protecting gay men and
service programs. He said, “The civil and human
the Bush administration to support three funda
lesbians, although Maryland’s law is being held
rights of our country should be measured by a sin
mental principles. “No federal funds should be
in abeyance pending resolution of a petition to
gle yardstick, and every American should be free
used to discriminate against any American, that
put the measure before voters.
from discrimination.”
should be inviolate.” He asked the administra
Henderson said the administration has the
Stachelberg called the news report “a serious
tion “to reinforce that fundamental principle.”
authority to change the Circular #A-102 regula
mistake that must be challenged.” She hoped
He also asked it to “repudiate” the press
tion, but that must be done through established
Fleischer s view that the Salvation Army misin
account of negotiating “to help override the
procedures. They include publication of pro-
terpreted W hite House intentions was accurate
responsibility of state and local governments to
S aving F aith
Bush denies Salvation Arm y desire
by Bob R o eh r
he Bush administration is work
ing with the nations largest
charity, the Salvation Army, to
make it easier for government-
funded religious groups to prac
tice hiring discrimination against gay people,
according to an internal Salvation Army docu
ment,” began a front-page story July 10 in the
Was/iington Post.
It charged that the White House had made a
“firm commitment” to revise regulations to allow
this discrimination, while the Salvation Army
pledged to lobby for the administrations faith-
based initiative. It quoted extensively from the
leaked document.
T h e Salvation Army is concerned that a
growing number o f state and local govern
ments prohibit discrim ination against gay
men and lesbians when contracting for social
services programs. It suggested an O ffice of
Management and Budget regulation, C ircu
lar * A -1 0 2 , he amended so federal regulation
supersedes state and local nondiscrim ination
laws when it comes to religious organizations
running social programs.
W hite House spokeswoman A nne W o
mack claimed, “T h is issue has been brought
to our attention, hut no such com m itm ent
has been made.”
That morning at a news conference aboard
Air Force O ne, spokesman Ari Fleischer reit
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