Contract Guard Lays Down Law on Lesbian Shirts
The use of contract security guards at federal buildings has raised all kinds of issues in recent years. But here's a new one.
When Lapriss Gilbert went to the Social Security office in Van Nuys, Calif., Monday, she was quickly ordered to leave the premises. The problem? A contract security guard didn't like the t-shirt she was wearing, which advertised the Web site lesbian.com.
The guard, who worked for a contractor hired by the Homeland Security Department's Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau, told Gilbert that the government's official Rules and Regulations Governing Conduct on Federal Property gave him the authority to deny her entry for wearing the shirt.
That's not a position endorsed by DHS. Lori Haley, an ICE spokeswoman, told the Los Angeles Daily News the guard was wrong. "We believe that the actions of the contract security guard were inappropriate and unacceptable. We have notified his company, Paragon, of our position in the matter," she said.
(Hat tip: BoingBoing)
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Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
Something about 'a little power is a dangerous thing'? These contract guards are merely square badges, with no more authority than you or I, and certainly no fashion authority! The fact that they work on federal property gives them no more or less discretion than the people who are filing for benefits. PS. I've filed for SSA benefits, and the guard in my office was always polite, yet firm re cellphones and other distractions, liking smoking. But he never attempted this nonsense!
ChristmasTree Posted Thursday, August 28, 2008 8:31 AMSounds like DHS' contractor is hiring from the "fashion police" recruitment pool!
Who's checking basic quals? Posted Thursday, August 28, 2008 5:37 PM