Mukasey Recognizes Contribution of Gay Justice Department Employees at DOJ Pride Awards Ceremony

By Pedro Ruz Gutierrez

About 150 people gathered at Main Justice’s Great Hall today for the annual awards ceremony of a Department of Justice group representing gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and trans-gendered employees. For the first time in six years, DOJ Pride was allowed to use the hall.

Under Attorneys General John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales, the group had not been permitted to meet in the Great Hall or to use government computers to communicate with its members.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey, who had promised to revisit past practices in his confirmation hearings, today thanked the group’s members for their work and contribution to the department. "It's a theme I embrace," says Attorney General Michael Mukasey. "Because all Justice Department employees have the right to be proud of who they are and the work that they do here."

Mukasey didn’t dwell on his predecessors’ policies. He said it is more important to recognize the “humanity, skills, and dedication” that DOJ employees share with one another.

Two longtime career attorneys and DOJ Pride founding members — Robert Moossy and Gregory Friel — were recognized for their work on behalf of the GBLT community.

Both men told those in attendance that they were elated to be in the Great Hall. “There were many years when we weren’t allowed in this room,” Moossy said.

Introducing Mukasey, DOJ Pride President Chris Hook praised the attorney general for championing the cause of justice. Mukasey received a standing ovation.

Keynote speaker Robert Spagnoletti, president-elect of the D.C. Bar and a former attorney general for the District, urged the audience to embrace who they are. “We can demonstrate pride in ourselves everyday,” said Spagnoletti, a partner at Schertler & Onorato.