Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 15:20:09 -0400 From: David B. O'Donnell Subject: NGLTF Outraged at DOJ Snub ************************************************* National Gay and Lesbian Task Force NEWS RELEASE Contact: Gregory Fisher (202) 332-6483 ext. 3309 (800) 757-7736 pager Beth Barrett (202) 332-6483 ext. 3215 2320 17th Street NW Washington, DC 200009 ************************************************* NGLTF OUTRAGED AT DOJ SNUB Former Portland Police Chief Asked to Apply for Job, Then Asked to Withdraw Because of "Stand on Gays and Lesbians" Washington, D.C. -- October 20, 1994 -- In a letter sent today to Attorney General Janet Reno, NGLTF Executive Director Peri Jude Radecic expressed outrage at the apparent snub of a qualified candidate for a Department of Justice appointment because of his support for the gay and lesbian community. As reported Wednesday in the Portland Oregonian , Former Portland Police Chief Tom Potter withdrew his name from consideration to run a federal community policing program after Department of Justice pressure that he was "too close to gay issues." An FBI background check revealed that Potter marched in several gay and lesbian pride parades in Portland in support of his daughter, who publicly acknowledged that she was a lesbian in 1991. Since Potter's retirement as police chief in 1993, he has been active in Oregon on gay and lesbian rights issues. Potter was asked by Department of Justice officials to apply for the position, but on October 5, he learned from lead administrator to the crime law John Schmidt that his support of his daughter might embarrass the Clinton administration and would, thus, cost him the position in the federal program. Radecic urged Attorney General Reno to investigate the matter and supply an explanation, clarifying three points: 1. The detrimental nature of a job applicant's support for gay and lesbian rights at the Department of Justice; 2. [DOJ's] commitment to equality for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals; 3. Concerns as to where gay, lesbian and bisexual people fit into law enforcement's vision of public safety. "The Department of Justice must apologize for any misunderstanding from Schmidt's conversation with Potter, and Potter must be allowed to re-submit his application for consideration as head of the federal community policing program," Radecic said. -- end --