Dept. of Interior Favoritism for Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Businesses?

According to Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, the Dept. of the Interior under the Bush Administration has made an agreement with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) favoring "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) owned businesses." It's the kind of thing one might expect under Clinton, but is part of a growing trend in the Bush Administration to move toward liberal values. Here is an excert from the Aug. 5, 2005 newletter I received from the Family Research Council:

Two weeks ago I sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton asking for an explanation as to why her Department entered into an agreement with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) apparently giving "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) owned businesses" preferential treatment. This agreement would allow LGBT businesses special access to over $2 billion in Interior contracts, money earmarked for "small and disadvantaged businesses."

Beyond the obvious question of whether LGBT businesses are actually "disadvantaged," there is no basis whatsoever in federal law for such special treatment by the Department of the Interior. I still have not heard from Secretary Norton, nor have I seen any indication that Robert W. Faithful IV, Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization has even been reprimanded for ignoring statutory law. It is not in the purview of political appointees and bureaucrats to make law. If Secretary Norton refuses to take action perhaps President Bush or Congress should.

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