DHS Scraps Ban On Surveillance Of LGBTQ People

Bloomberg Government reports:

A Department of Homeland Security unit eliminated policies prohibiting personnel from conducting intelligence activities based solely on a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation.

The Office of Intelligence and Analysis posted an updated policy manual late last week that removes references to those characteristics in sections that set guardrails on gathering intelligence.

The revisions follow President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 directive to scrap policies and protections focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion across federal agencies. I&A’s work has attracted close scrutiny for years because of its domestic focus, with intelligence often involving US citizens and others in the country.

Read the full article.

🚨 This is terrifying. 🚨@DHSgov can collect intelligence based SOLELY on sexual orientation or gender identity. This opens the door to labeling #LGBTQIA+ organizing as threats to national security & labeling us “terrorists.”#QueerRightsAreHumanRightshttps://t.co/olxfC1wJWe

— David Clarke (@WriterClarke) February 26, 2025

I’m sure I’ll end up on some government list. This is alarming because DHS can now spy on LGBTQ folks for no good reason. pic.twitter.com/7hDypt5pKu

— The Pissed Off Lawyer (@legaltweetz) February 26, 2025

The DHS is no longer banned from surveilling LGBTQ folx based on immutable characteristics.

All LGBTQ folks are in the same boat now: being targeted for surveillance that the DHS can later use to railroad us for terrorism if we resist our oppression.https://t.co/C4Jqd5TljM

— @SavagePardon (@savagepardon) February 27, 2025