HOMOSEXUAL SUES OVER LOSS OF CIA SECURITY CLEARANCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00806R000201070011-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 1, 2010
• Sequence Number: 11
• Publication Date: November 15, 1983
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/01 : CIA-RDP90-00806R000201070011-9
ARTICLE APPEARED
ON PACE /
LOS ANGELES TIMES
15 November 1983
HomosexuaLSues Over Loss
of CIA Security Clearance
Rv KEVIN RODERICK, TI"M Staff Writer.
A manager on a top - secret project
at TRW Inc. who lived an open but
quiet homosexual -life- for-30 years
sued-the Central Intelligence Agen-
cy on Monday in an effort to
overturn the agency's policy pro-
hibiting homosexuals from holding
sensitive security clearances.
John W. Green. 50, who described
himself as a conservative Republi.
can proud of his contributions to
national security. lost his special
clearance in 1981, when CIA inves-
tigators coincidentally discovered
that Green was a homosexual during
a background check of his longtime
lover, who was also a TRW employ-
ee at the tinge.
Green said he never concealed his
homosexual relationship during the
20 years he was an engineer on
classified projects at TRW's Tor-
rance facility. He was forced to
accept a lower-level job at the firm
after his necessary "sensitive com-
partmented information" clearance,
one of the highest security ratings
for intelligence work. was revoked.
Gay rights leaders who oppose
the CIA policy consider the case a
significant court test and have of-
fered assistance. They contend that
loyal and qualified scientists and
engineers who have homosexual
relationships at home are not secu-
rity risks, and say the policy has
blocked many homosexuals from
jobs, deprived the nation of good
talent and risked national security
because thousands of people in
sensitive jobs fear admitting they
are gay.
Creen's clearance was revoked
under a policy barring homosexuals
from holding certain security clear-
ances. The policy 1 s ' based on an
assumption that homosexuals are
security risks because they are susceptible to
blackmail by foreign powers threatening td
reveal them.
The CIA also said that Green tried to hide his
sexual 'orientation from investigators. a charge
that he denied.
The Intelligence agency refused to comment on
tKe suit Monday. TRW. a major defense and
.intelligence contractor, was not named in the
suit. The company has a potiay of not comment-
ing onlidgatlon.
A ban on homosexuals was adopted throughout
the federal government In the early 1950s, but
has been rescinded or thrown out by courts in
most areas except the military, and national ?
Y:
In 1981. the National Security Agency allowed
a translator to keep his job if he informed his
family 'and friends he was homosexual to avoid
the chance of blackmail, but most Intelligence
agencies evidently continue to restrict homosex-
-Earlier this year. a homosexual Foreign Ser.
vice officer reportedly was allowed tai stay on the
job and accept posting overseas, despite his sexual
orientation.
tBetims Suspicious
Century City attorney John McDermott, who Is
representing Green in the Los Angeles federal
court suit, said the agency apparently became
suspir.ious of Green in 1981 during a security
clearance invebtigation of 'his longtime lover.
Both men admitted their relationship to CIA
investigators, M c De rmott said,
Green said during a press conference Monday
that he has been open abcut his life style for years
with co-workers and would have told investiga-
tors earlier if they had asked. But he said the
agency never asked him during the background
investigations it conducted before issuing his
clearance.
He said he assumed that investigators knew
because friends had been aware that he was gay
since 1967, he belonged to a ski club for gay men
and women and occasionally attended events
held by a gay political club in Long Beach.
Although he lived openly, Green said, his
sexual orientation never became an Issue on the
job. He had homosexual friends who also worked
in the firm's Electronic and Defense Sector. and
had given parties at his home attended by gay
friends and non-gay workers from the office, he
said.
"I never felt any need to corner people and
express my sexual preference." Green said. "I just
live my life."
CONTINUED
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/01 : CIA-RDP90-00806R000201070011-9