Hi Everyone,
Awesome site, starting reading everything after a friend sent me the link, because he knows I am interested in applying to several government agencies in the near future (both intelligence and LE). I am one of those with a spotless background, but I had read in the past that being gay was almost automatically a write-off. I am not closeted (at work or with family/friends), although since I don't fit any of the stereotypes its not the hot topic of the town. Is sexual orientation something that comes up during the interview process for either intelligence or law enforcement? If it does, is it still an automatic write-off?
Thanks!
Some CIA applicants are questioned about their sex lives in the course of pre-employment polygraph screening. See, for example, the personal statement of "No Such Author" (https://antipolygraph.org/statements/statement-009.shtml) and the message thread, CIA Released My Sexual History (https://antipolygraph.org/forum/index.php?topic=2493.msg17578#msg17578). A great many CIA applicants don't pass the polygraph (https://antipolygraph.org/forum/index.php?topic=2465.msg17432#msg17432), and polygrapher bias certainly can influence polygraph outcomes. However, homosexuality is not an automatic disqualifier, and the CIA has an Agency Network for Gay and Lesbian Employees (https://www.cia.gov/careers/diversity/cia-diversity-initiatives/affinity-groups.html) (ANGLE).
I understand that the concern with homosexuality is specific to those who are closeted, as that represents a vulnerability to blackmail. Given that you describe yourself as open but discreet, I sincerely doubt it will have any impact on your processing.