Mukasey To Address Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Group

In a break with his predecessors, Attorney General Michael Mukasey on Wednesday will address the awards ceremony of DOJ Pride, an association representing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees.

Ex-Attorneys General Alberto Gonzales and John Ashcroft barred the group from using the department's Great Hall. Wednesday's appearance will mark the first time an attorney general addresses the group since Janet Reno did so in 1997.

DOJ Pride President Chris Hook, in a statement issued today, said Justice officials under Ashcroft and Gonzales claimed an "unwritten policy" barred such events in the absence of a presidential proclamation. President George W. Bush has never recognized June as gay and lesbian pride month, Hook said.

After the group's leaders wrote to Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., the senator questioned Mukasey about the past practices at his confirmation hearing last fall. In response, Mukasey said he didn't understand the reasons for such treatment and pledged to end it once in office.

Shortly after he arrived, Mukasey allowed DOJ Pride to post its fliers on bulletin boards and reach out to its members via e-mail.

Wednesday's awards will recognize career attorneys Robert Moossy and Gregory Friel, both of the Civil Rights Division, and Leonard Hirsch, president of the federal government group representing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees.

The keynote speaker will be Robert Spagnoletti, a partner at Schertler & Onorato who is president-elect of the D.C. Bar and a former attorney general for the District.