yesthattom | LGBT diversity training at the NSA is a matter of national security

Brian McNaught, a diversity-training speaker who helps workplaces become more LGBT-friendly, said he received a standing ovation following a recent three-hour presentation at the National Security Agency in Fort Meade, Md. "The remarkable thing is you have the NSA bringing a gay speaker to an organization in which half of its employees are civilians and half operate under 'don't ask, don't tell,' " McNaught said.

http://www.advocate.com/issue_story_ektid62153.asp

I was lucky enough to attend training by Brian when he was getting his start. He's still one of the best diversity speakers in LGBT-ness.

I wish I could have attended this 3-hour talk at the NSA:

“Being closeted can turn someone into a blackmail target,” McNaught says. “The NSA is worried whether someone with access to national secrets has anything an enemy of the United States could use against them.” Knowing that, McNaught used his presentation to stress the importance of putting gay employees at ease -- no jokes, no gossip -- so that coming out isn’t an issue.

How was he received? “After a three-hour presentation,” McNaught says, “I got a standing ovation.”