DHS Scheduled Multiple LGBTQ Pride Events During Work Hours, Records Show

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) scheduled a series of LGBTQ Pride Month events during regular government working hours in June 2023, according to internal calendars obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The request was filed by the Center to Advance Security in America, and the records were first reported by the Daily Caller News Foundation.

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The release of these records has sparked debate over whether such activities align with DHS’s core mission. Critics argue that the events may have diverted attention and resources away from the department’s primary security priorities, while supporters contend that workplace inclusion is an important aspect of a modern federal workforce.

The 20-page internal calendar outlined a range of events across several DHS agencies. These included the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Secret Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The scheduled activities featured forums and discussions for bisexual, pansexual, transgender, intersex, and asexual employees. There were also educational video screenings and sessions focused on LGBTQ history and workplace inclusion.

Details of Scheduled Events

Among the highlighted events was a Pride flag-raising ceremony at DHS headquarters. This ceremony was attended by then-Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Deputy Secretary John Tien, signaling high-level participation in the department’s Pride Month observances.

FEMA organized a “Bisexual and Pansexual Forum” on June 13, 2023, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., providing a space for employees to discuss issues relevant to those communities. Other DHS agencies hosted similar sessions, including forums focused on transgender and gender-nonconforming employees. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center contributed by holding screenings of educational videos related to LGBTQ topics.

These events were part of a broader effort to recognize and support LGBTQ employees within DHS. The calendar included a variety of activities designed to foster inclusion and raise awareness about LGBTQ history and workplace challenges. The events were scheduled during standard working hours, which some critics argue could interfere with the department’s operational focus.

"The Biden DHS failed the country in many ways, and part of the reason for its failure was its focus on non-mission-oriented activities such as these."

— James Fitzpatrick, director of the Center to Advance Security in America

The release of the calendar comes in the context of ongoing debates about the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in federal agencies. The events took place before a significant policy shift under the Trump administration, which directed federal agencies to dismantle DEI programs. Following this directive, the Office of Personnel Management instructed agencies to close their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) offices and cancel related training sessions.

The Daily Caller News Foundation reported that it asked DHS whether similar Pride Month programming continued after these directives, but the agency did not respond to inquiries. As a result, it remains unclear whether DHS maintained, modified, or discontinued such events in subsequent years.

Criticism and Agency Response

James Fitzpatrick, director of the Center to Advance Security in America, has been a vocal critic of the DHS programming. He argues that the department’s focus on activities unrelated to its core security mission contributed to what he describes as broader failures within DHS. Fitzpatrick told the Daily Caller News Foundation that such events were emblematic of misplaced priorities.

When contacted for comment, the White House referred questions about the continuation of these programs to DHS. However, DHS did not provide a response or public statement addressing the criticism or defending the events at the time of reporting. There was no official comment from DHS leadership regarding the purpose or impact of the Pride Month activities.

Broader Policy Context

The scheduling of these events occurred prior to the Trump administration’s order to terminate federal DEI initiatives. The Office of Personnel Management’s directive to close DEIA offices and cancel related training marked a significant shift in federal policy regarding workplace inclusion. The available records do not clarify whether DHS continued similar activities after the policy change or how the agency may have adjusted its internal programming in response to new directives.

The broader debate over the role of workplace inclusion events in federal agencies remains unresolved. Critics continue to question the relevance of such events to the core missions of agencies like DHS, arguing that they may detract from operational effectiveness. Supporters, on the other hand, maintain that diversity and inclusion initiatives are essential for fostering a supportive and effective federal workforce, and that recognizing the contributions of LGBTQ employees can help create a more inclusive environment.

As of the time of reporting, the future of such programming within DHS and other federal agencies remains uncertain, with policy direction likely to continue shifting in response to changes in administration and evolving public debate.