Feb 12, 2025 11:28:00

NASA warns employees not to use LGBTQI+ symbols in the workplace, violators will be subject to suspension

On February 7, 2025, it was reported that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) ordered its employees not to wear

LGBTQI+ pride clothing, stickers, badges, etc. in the office, which expresses the concept that people should be proud of their sexual orientation and gender identity. If employees violate this rule, they will be forced to take a leave of absence.

NASA HQ verbally orders employees to purge workspaces of LGBTQI+ symbols | Space
https://www.space.com/space-exploration/nasa-verbally-orders-employees-to-purge-workspaces-of-lgbtqi-symbols

You Must Hide Your Pride At NASA - NASA Watch

https://nasawatch.com/personnel-news/you-must-hide-your-pride-at-nasa/

President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20, 2025, has announced a policy to abolish the DEI program, which encourages gender and racial diversity. As a result, related content has been removed from government websites, and it has been reported that the words fairness and diversity have been deleted or modified.

Various pages from government sites, including public data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, disappeared under President Trump's orders. What on earth disappeared? - GIGAZINE

In response, NASA instructed employees to remove from its website references to the DEIA program (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility), minority advocacy, references to Native Americans, environmental justice , minority and female leadership, etc. The instructions to NASA employees were reportedly conveyed as a 'request to suspend all operations and respond to the priority issue.'

NASA ordered to remove content about 'women's leadership' and 'diversity' from website - GIGAZINE

Additionally, NASA is instructing employees not to wear rainbow flags, badges, clothing, stickers or other symbols that represent LGBTQI+ pride, including virtual backgrounds for use in Microsoft Teams .

According to NASA officials, the instructions were communicated verbally, not in writing, and violations of this guidance carry penalties, including mandatory leave of absence.

In response to NASA's actions, House Aeronautics and Space Committee members Zoe Lofgren and Valerie Foushey criticized the move, saying , 'This is an absurd overreach and a direct attack on the freedom of speech and humanity of NASA employees. This government-sanctioned censorship is an assault on the rights of federal employees and should not go unchecked.'